Dominant Seventh Chord

Definition

A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord formed by combining a major triad with a minor seventh. It is built on the fifth degree of the scale and plays a crucial role in tonal music, particularly in establishing tension that resolves to the tonic. This chord is essential for creating harmonic movement and is commonly used to lead to resolution in both major and minor keys.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The dominant seventh chord is labeled with a Roman numeral V7 when it's in a major key, indicating its function as the dominant chord.
2. In a minor key, the dominant seventh chord often contains a raised seventh scale degree (leading tone) to create stronger resolution to the tonic.
3. The notes of a dominant seventh chord include the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, giving it a distinctive sound.
4. Common resolutions for the dominant seventh chord typically move to the tonic chord, creating a sense of closure and satisfaction.
5. This chord can be altered through techniques like adding tensions or changing voicings, which can introduce new colors and feelings into progressions.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a dominant seventh chord contribute to its role in tonal harmony?
  • The structure of a dominant seventh chord consists of a major triad combined with a minor seventh. This combination creates a strong sense of tension due to the dissonance between the minor seventh and the root. This tension is essential in tonal harmony as it naturally resolves to the tonic chord, providing a satisfying musical closure. The specific intervals within the dominant seventh also help create this push toward resolution.
• Compare the use of the dominant seventh chord in major and minor keys, specifically focusing on how they resolve to their respective tonics.
  • In major keys, the dominant seventh chord (V7) typically resolves directly to the tonic (I), creating a smooth transition. However, in minor keys, this chord often features a raised seventh scale degree, enhancing its leading tone quality and providing an even stronger resolution to the tonic. This difference illustrates how composers manipulate harmony based on key characteristics to achieve desired emotional effects.
• Evaluate how altering a dominant seventh chord can affect its resolution and overall impact within a progression.
  • Altering a dominant seventh chord—such as adding tensions or changing voicings—can significantly impact its resolution and emotional effect. For instance, adding a ninth or sharp ninth can create greater tension before resolving to the tonic, enriching the harmonic landscape. By modifying how it is approached or resolved, composers can evoke various feelings and enhance the drama of their musical narratives, showing how nuanced changes in harmony lead to profound differences in expression.

Related terms

Triad: A triad is a three-note chord consisting of a root, third, and fifth, which can be major, minor, augmented, or diminished.

Tonic:

The tonic is the first note of a scale and serves as the home base or point of resolution in tonal music.

Subdominant Chord: The subdominant chord is built on the fourth degree of the scale and often leads to the dominant seventh chord in harmonic progressions.