(Videos at the bottom)
Theory:
1) The 7 chord, a.k.a. "dominant 7" chord, "flat 7" chord, "b7" chord
- The 5th step chord in any key is called the DOMINANT position and the chord formed by the 5th step of a key is called the DOMINANT CHORD. *** So, the DOMINANT CHORD is the 5th step of another key. Example: G7 is the DOMINANT CHORD in the key of C because G is the 5th step in the key of C.
- It is called the DOMINANT CHORD because it has a strong pull back the "1" chord of the Key. Example: G ->C
- We can add another note to the BASIC TRIAD (1+3+5) to create a DOMINANT 7 CHORD (1+3+5+b7). This gives a feeling of TENSION and wanting to RESOLVE. Remember that the 5 chord wants to pull back to it's "1".
Example: G7 -> C
To create a Dominant 7 chord
- Add the b7 step of a scale to the basic triad which includes 1, 3, and 5. Start at any root, play 1+3+5+b7 to create the new 7 chord.
- NOTE that the note you added to the chord is ONE WHOLE TONE DOWN from the root of the chord.
There are 2 types of 7 chords *, so we say "flat 7" to distinguish between the 2 chords.
Example: In a G major scale, the natural 7th step is an F# (remember your G scale) so when we add an "F natural" note to a G chord (basic triad) you are adding the "flat 7" in relation to G.
* There are actually 3 types of 7 chords but for the purposes of most musical applications we'll deal with 2 types of 7 chords.
The 2 types of 7 chords
1) "Major 7" chord; and 2) "Dominant 7" chords
As a "Major 7" chord = Gmaj7 = 1+3+5+7 = G B D F#
As a "Dominant 7" chord = G7 = 1+3+5+b7 = G B D F(natural)
- Gmaj7 is in the key of G and contains an F#
- G7 is in the key of C and contains an F natural G7 -> C
2) Cycle of Fifths
- Take the information about dominant chords about and create a cycle where ONE CHORD NATURALLY LEADS TO THE NEXT CHORD in the 5 -> 1 (V -> I) relationship.
- For example: Start on E7, then go to A7, then D7, then G7, then land to C.
3) The Relative Minor chord
- The 6th step of a major scale is called the RELATIVE MINOR. a.k.a the "VI" (6) chord
- The relative minor chord accompanies the basic 1, 4 and 5 chords in songs like Heart of Gold, Stand By Me, I'll Be Your Man (James Blunt), Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd), and dozens of other familiar songs.
SONGS
Stand By Me
This is in the KEY of A (chords A - F#m - D - E).
What we learn:
1) Uses the Relative Minor chord to create a common chord progression.
2) Listen to the rhythm figure (that we practiced) and play along
3) Listen to the bass line
Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
Here's a guitar lesson from youtube just like we practised it.
Walk Don't Run
We played part of the first "A" section but you can at least listen and get the vibe, and play along if you want to. The other section gets hard so only try to play the "A" sections.
