Minor seventh chord: formula, notes and sound
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad plus a minor seventh (0-3-7-10). Hear its mellow sound, see it on every root, and learn its role in the ii-V-I.
A minor seventh chord is a minor triad plus a minor seventh: root, minor third, perfect fifth and minor seventh (0, 3, 7, 10 semitones). Am7 is A, C, E and G; Cm7 is C, E flat, G and B flat. It sounds mellow and smooth, softer than a plain minor chord.
Listen to Cm7
C E♭ G B♭
What is the formula of a minor 7th chord?
| Chord tone | Interval from the root | Semitones | In C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | root | 0 | C |
| Third | minor third | 3 | E♭ |
| Fifth | perfect fifth | 7 | G |
| Seventh | minor seventh | 10 | B♭ |
Formula: 0-3-7-10 semitones. Written Cm7, Cmin7, C−7.
What does a minor 7th chord sound like?
Relaxed, soulful and smooth. It is the ii chord of the jazz ii–V–I and the sound of countless soul and R&B grooves.
How to recognise it by ear
- A minor chord that sounds smoother and less sad: probably a minor seventh.
- In a major key the chords on degrees 2, 3 and 6 are minor sevenths: Dm7, Em7 and Am7 in C.
- Am7 contains a C major triad on top (C E G): that is why it sounds gentle.
Quick test: is it a minor 7th chord?
Four chords on different roots. Each is a minor 7th chord or a chord it is often confused with.
Score: / 4 (your score updates as you answer)
Minor 7th chords on all 12 roots
Spelled by letter from the formula, so thirds are always a letter apart (E♭, not D♯, in C minor).
| Chord | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | |
| D♭m7 | D♭ F♭ A♭ C♭ | |
| Dm7 | D F A C | |
| E♭m7 | E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭ | |
| Em7 | E G B D | |
| Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | |
| F♯m7 | F♯ A C♯ E | |
| Gm7 | G B♭ D F | |
| A♭m7 | A♭ C♭ E♭ G♭ | |
| Am7 | A C E G | |
| B♭m7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | |
| Bm7 | B D F♯ A |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a minor seventh chord?
1, flat 3, 5, flat 7. Am7 is A C E G, Dm7 is D F A C, Em7 is E G B D, Cm7 is C E flat G B flat.
What is the difference between m7 and m7♭5?
The fifth. Cm7 has a perfect fifth (G); Cm7♭5 (half-diminished) has a diminished fifth (G flat), which makes it darker and less stable.
What is the difference between Cm7 and C7?
The third. Cm7 has E flat (minor third), C7 has E (major third). Both have B flat.
Where is the minor seventh chord used?
As the ii chord of the ii–V–I (Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 in C), and as the main chord of many funk, soul and modal jazz tunes.