7th chords are so beautiful and common in music. They can instantly transform the sound of a basic chord to make it more fancy and 'dreamy'. If you're not sure about 7th chords and how to make them - check out our previous lesson: ►
So you know how to play 7th chords. But how do you actually USE them in songs?
I have some great tips on ways to make practicing 7th chords fun and musical. It'll also help you to incorporate 7th chords into your playing:
- The chords and progression we'll be using - 0:24
We're in the key of D, and we're using a progression I'll call the 4-3-2-1 progression. So we'll be using the first four chords in the D Major scale.
Those are D - Em - F#m - G. And because we're practicing 7ths we need to make them all 7ths.
So they'll be DMaj7 - Em7 - F#m7 - GMaj7
- What do actually do with them - 1:11
The first exercise is to play these 7th chords in a broken, descending pattern. Start with the 4 (The GMaj7) and work your way back down to the DMaj7.
- Sound Familiar? Name this popular song - 1:44
- Some technical things to remember - 2:02
Your wrist is a really important part of these exercises. Remember to rotate it slightly as you play the broken chords, that will allow you to play them faster, and it will remove tension in your fingers. Also, remember to sit up with your back straight!
- Make it sound dreamy - 2:12
Now that we've played the chords in a 4-3-2-1 pattern, it's time to mix them up. Play around with these four chords and experiment with different progression orders. Try playing some of the chords broken up, and others as full chords.
Also, try experimenting with chord inversions. Remember -- the 7th does NOT always have to be at the top of the chord!
To explore more chords, check out our FREE series on chords:
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Or to learn hundreds of popular songs, try 500 Songs in 5 Days:
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And we have another free series for absolute beginners. Getting Started On The Piano:
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