Minor 7th Chord With A Twist

“The Minor 7th Chord”

Here is my twist of the minor 7th chord. I like to play it in the 3rd inversion. You’re probably thinking, “what is the 3rd inversion?” Here’s a small lesson on inversions:

When the 7th tone of the major scale is played as the lowest note, the chord is said to be in it’s “3rd inversion.” For example, in C major, here is each numbered scale degree (or tone):

C = 1
D = 2
E = 3
F = 4
G = 5
A = 6
B = 7

Obviously, if we’re playing a 7th chord (whether major or minor), we will be playing either a “B” or “Bb.” Remember, we play “B” in a “C major seventh chord” and a “Bb” in a “C dominant or minor seventh chord.”

The C minor 7 chord is as follow:

Bass = C

Right hand = C + Eb + G + Bb

Now, I don’t personally prefer playing it this way. I change two things about the chord above:

1) Again, I switch to the “3rd inversion” of the chord (which means that the Bb will be played as the lowest note)

Right hand = Bb + C + Eb + G

2) Then, I get rid of the C because it crowds the chord. Besides, I’m probably already playing “C” on the bass with my left hand.

Right hand = Bb + Eb + G

Here’s a look at the final chord:

Bass = C

Right hand = Bb + Eb + G

This chord is usually played in Gospel and Blues music. If you wanted to include it in a “1-4” turnaround, simply lower the “Bb” to A and change the bass from “C” to “F”:

Bass = F

Right hand = A + Eb + G

Conclusion:

(Bb + Eb + G / bass = C) — (A + Eb + G / bass = F)

This concludes this tip. See you tomorrow for the last tip of this series!

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Jermaine Griggs

Founder at HearandPlay.com

Hi, I'm Jermaine Griggs, founder of this site. We teach people how to express themselves through the language of music. Just as you talk and listen freely, music can be enjoyed and played in the same way... if you know the rules of the "language!" I started this site at 17 years old in August 2000 and more than a decade later, we've helped literally millions of musicians along the way. Enjoy!

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