Dominant Seventh Chords: Tension and Release
- The American Guitar Academy
- Jun 11
- 8 min read
Dominant chords are foundational elements in music harmony, creating tension, expectation, and resolution. Whether you're playing guitar, piano, or composing intricate symphonies, understanding dominant chords is crucial. This chord is often abbreviated as dom7 or simply 7). The dominant seventh chord is powerful and dynamic, adding a sense of movement and drive to compositions across various genres. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating characteristics of dominant seventh chords, their construction, common appearances, and practical applications.
Anatomy of the Dominant Seventh Chord
The dominant seventh chord consists of four essential notes:
Root (1st): The starting note of the chord.
Major Third (3rd): Four half-steps above the root.
Perfect Fifth (5th): Seven half-steps above the root.
Minor Seventh (b7th): Ten half-steps above the root.
For example, in a G7 chord:
The root is G.
The major third is B.
The perfect fifth is D.
The minor seventh is F.
These intervals create a chord with a strong sense of tension and expectation, making the dominant seventh chord a staple in many musical genres. This chord is the key tension point that creates harmonic movement in music. The minor seventh, in particular, provides a dissonance that seeks resolution, typically falling down to the tonic chord. The major third typically rises into the tonic chord. The motion of these two notes provide what is called a “cadence”, a chord tension-resolution relationship.
Where to Find Dominant Seventh Chords
In Major Keys:
In major keys, the dominant seventh chord naturally occurs on the fifth degree of the scale. For instance, in the key of C major, the G7 chord consists of the notes G, B, D, and F. This chord serves as the dominant, leading back to the tonic (C major) and providing a sense of resolution. This movement from the dominant seventh to the tonic is a hallmark of Western tonal music, creating a satisfying resolution in countless pieces. Examples include complex jazz standards such as "I Got Rhythm" by George Gershwin and even the simplest of tunes such as "Happy Birthday". The dominant chord is found everywhere.
In Minor Keys:
In minor keys, the dominant seventh chord appears on the fifth degree of the scale as well. For example, in the key of A minor, the E7 chord (E-G#-B-D) serves as the dominant chord, leading back to the tonic (A minor). The presence of the major third (G#) in the dominant seventh chord adds a leading tone that heightens the tension and resolution. This is evident in pieces like "Summertime" by George Gershwin and "Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma. There are many other dominant chords found in both major and minor keys which we will cover in the next section.
Secondary Dominants
Secondary dominants are a fascinating and essential tool in the realm of music theory, adding color, tension, and harmonic interest to a piece. These chords serve as temporary dominants to chords other than the tonic, effectively tonicizing them and creating a momentary sense of resolution before moving back to the original key. By employing secondary dominants, composers and musicians can introduce unexpected twists and turns in their harmonic progressions, enriching the musical landscape.
In a major key, the primary dominant chord is the V chord, which naturally resolves to the tonic (I) chord. However, secondary dominants expand this concept by acting as dominants to other diatonic chords within the key. For instance, if you are in the key of C major, the G7 chord (the primary dominant) resolves to C. But a D7 chord, which is the dominant of G (the V chord of the V chord), can be used to temporarily tonicize G, creating a stronger pull towards the G chord before resolving back to C major. This D7 chord is labeled as V/V, indicating it is the dominant of the dominant. These dominant chords can be chained together or used to pull us into different chords.
Construction of Secondary Dominants
To construct a secondary dominant, you identify the chord you want to tonicize and then build a dominant seventh chord a perfect fifth above it. For example, if you want to tonicize the ii chord (D minor) in the key of C major, you would construct an A7 chord (A-C#-E-G) because A is a perfect fifth above D. This A7 chord is written as V/ii, showing that it functions as the dominant of the ii chord. The introduction of non-diatonic notes (like the C# in A7) adds a distinctive flavor and sense of direction to the harmony, enhancing the overall musical experience.
Expressive Potential
The dominant seventh chord conveys a sense of urgency, tension, and drive. It often appears in passages that require movement and resolution, whether in classical compositions, jazz standards, or contemporary music. Let's explore some famous examples:
Classical Music:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" features dominant seventh chords prominently, driving the harmonic progression forward and creating dynamic tension. The V7 - I relationship is said to be the foundation of western music, which broadly covers all of classical music.
Jazz:
In jazz, the dominant seventh chord is a cornerstone of the genre, often used in ii-V-I progressions. Songs like "All the Things You Are" and "Take the A Train" utilize dominant seventh chords extensively, creating rich, sophisticated harmonic structures. The songs “I Got Rhythm” and “Jazz Blues”, are said to be the two most common and important songs to master as a jazz player and they both feature heavy use of the dominant 7th chord throughout.
Blues/Rock:
The dominant seventh chord is fundamental to blues music, often forming the basis of the 12-bar blues progression. Classic blues songs like "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Hoochie Coochie Man" rely on the raw, expressive power of dominant seventh chords. Many of these songs can be played using only dominant sevenths!
Guitar Fingerings
For guitarists, mastering common fingerings for dominant seventh chords opens up new creative possibilities. Here are a few basic shapes for the G7 chord that most guitarists learn within their first few years of playing:
Root on the 6th String (E String):
e|--------
B|---3----
G|---4----
D|---3----
A|---x----
E|---3----
Root on the 5th String (A String):
e|--------
B|---8----
G|---10----
D|---9----
A|---10----
E|--------
Root on the 4th String (D String):
e|---7----
B|---6----
G|---7----
D|---5----
A|--------
E|--------
These shapes can be moved up and down the neck to form other dominant seventh chords. So, whether you're playing blues, jazz, or your own compositions, let the dominant seventh chord drive your musical narrative and add tension to your harmonic explorations!
Chord Extensions
Chord extensions are additional notes added to a basic chord to create richer and more complex harmonies. For a dominant seventh chord, there are quite a few extensions. It is one of the most commonly extended chords There are natural extensions such as the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth and also altered extensions. Each extension adds its unique color and character to the chord, expanding its harmonic possibilities.
Natural Extensions
Dominant 7th with a 9th (9):
A dominant seventh chord with an added ninth introduces a note that is a whole step above the root note. This extension creates a more complex and jazz-influenced sound. In the key of G, a G9 chord would include the notes G, B, D, F, and A. A classic example of the 9 chord can be found in the song "Autumn Leaves."
Dominant 7th with a #11th (#11):
The dominant seventh chord with a sharpened eleventh incorporates a note that is an augmented fourth above the root. In the key of G, a G7#11 chord would include G, B, D, F, and C#. This extension provides a more dissonant and interesting sound, often used in jazz and fusion. An example is "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck.
Dominant 7th with a 13th (13):
A dominant seventh chord with an added thirteenth includes a note that is a major sixth above the root. For G13, the notes would be G, B, D, F, and E. This extension adds a bright, jazzy flavor to the chord. A great example of the 13 chord can be heard in "Cantaloupe Island" by Herbie Hancock.
Combining Natural Extensions
In practice, musicians often combine these extensions to create even more complex and colorful chords. For instance, a G13 chord can also include the ninth and eleventh, making it a G13(9,11). These combined extensions are particularly popular in jazz, fusion, and modern classical music, where harmonic richness and complexity are highly valued.
Altered Extensions for Dominant Seventh Chords
Dominant seventh chords (V7) are pivotal in music, creating tension that resolves back to the tonic. To add color, tension, and sophistication, these chords can be extended and altered. The most common altered extensions for a dominant seventh chord include the flat ninth (♭9), sharp ninth (#9), sharp eleventh (#11), and flat thirteenth (♭13). Each of these extensions brings a unique flavor to the dominant seventh chord, expanding its harmonic possibilities and expressive potential.
Dominant Seventh with a Flat Ninth (V7♭9)
The flat ninth (♭9) extension adds a dissonant and dramatic quality to the dominant seventh chord. In the key of C, a G7♭9 chord would include the notes G, B, D, F, and A♭. The A♭ creates a minor ninth interval above the root, adding a dark and tension-filled sound. This extension is commonly used in classical, jazz, and flamenco music to enhance the sense of urgency and resolution. It is also commonly found in gypsy jazz music.
Dominant Seventh with a Sharp Ninth (V7#9)
The sharp ninth (#9) extension provides a striking and colorful dissonance to the dominant seventh chord. In the key of C, a G7#9 chord consists of the notes G, B, D, F, and A#. The A# (enharmonic to B♭) creates an augmented ninth interval above the root, giving the chord a bluesy and edgy sound. This extension is particularly popular in blues, rock, and jazz.
Dominant Seventh with a Sharp Eleventh (V7#11)
The sharp eleventh (#11) extension introduces a tritone above the root, adding a bright, somewhat dissonant, and otherworldly quality. In the key of C, a G7#11 chord includes G, B, D, F, and C#. The C# creates an augmented fourth interval above the root, producing a distinctive and modern sound. This extension is frequently used in jazz and fusion music.
Dominant Seventh with a Flat Thirteenth (V7♭13)
The flat thirteenth (♭13) extension adds a rich, dark, and slightly exotic flavor to the dominant seventh chord. In the key of C, a G7♭13 chord comprises G, B, D, F, and E♭. The E♭ forms a minor sixth interval above the root, enhancing the chord's tension and depth. This extension is often used in jazz, blues, and Latin music.
Combining Altered Extensions
Musicians often combine these altered extensions to create even more complex and intriguing dominant seventh chords. For example, a G7 chord can include both a flat ninth and a sharp ninth (G7♭9#9), or a sharp ninth and a flat thirteenth (G7#9♭13). These combinations add layers of dissonance and color, enhancing the harmonic richness and tension before resolving to the tonic.
Altered extensions for dominant seventh chords are powerful tools for creating tension, color, and sophistication in music. The flat ninth, sharp ninth, sharp eleventh, and flat thirteenth each bring their unique dissonances and flavors, expanding the expressive potential of the dominant seventh chord. Whether in classical, jazz, blues, rock, or fusion, these extensions play a crucial role in shaping the harmonic landscape and adding emotional depth to musical compositions. Understanding and utilizing these altered extensions can significantly enhance a musician's harmonic vocabulary and creative expression.
A Harmonic Journey
Dominant seventh chords are powerful tools in music, providing tension, drive, and resolution that can elevate any musical piece. By understanding the anatomy of dominant seventh chords and their common appearances in both major and minor keys, musicians can unlock new levels of harmonic richness. Whether it's the foundational G7 in the key of C major or the slick E7 chord in A minor, these chords bring a distinct dynamic and emotional depth to music.
Exploring chord extensions like the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth further expands the harmonic palette. For guitarists and pianists alike, mastering these chords and their extensions opens up new creative possibilities. As you continue your musical journey, look out for dominant seventh chords! They can guide you through harmonic tension and resolution. Whether you're composing your own music, performing jazz standards, or adding a touch of drive to blues and rock songs, the dominant seventh chord will undoubtedly elevate your musical expression. So, embrace the power and depth of dominant seventh chords and let them inspire your next masterpiece!
