Dominant Seventh Chords

from: Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning

This lesson is part of the course Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning.

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Learn the basics of music theory as it relates to four-string instruments tuned in fifths. Chad’s practical approach will deepen your knowledge of chords, scales, and arpeggios, and help you integrate them into your playing.

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Major Chord Arpeggios

Learn how major chord arpeggios are constructed and how to find them on the mandolin/fiddle fingerboard. Chad explains that major chords are constructed of roots, thirds, and fifths: the first, third, and fifth notes in a major scale. Then he shows you different finger patterns for major arpeggios in bluegrass keys, giving you handy ways to visualize each pattern and advice about practicing them in different ways.

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Dominant Seventh Chords

In this lesson, you’ll learn about dominant seventh chords and arpeggios. The dominant seventh chord (often just called a seventh) consists of a major triad and flatted seventh and is often used as the V chord in a progression. Chad walks you through dominant seventh chord construction, explaining how it wants to resolve: from I7 to IV or V7 to I, for example. He also gives you some exercises using dominant seventh arpeggios moving around the circle of fifths, from E to Bb, and showing you how to create dominant seven double stops by lowering the root to the flatted seventh.

Dominant Seventh Chords (Available to subscribers)

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← Adding Flat Thirds to Major Triads and Pentatonic Scales

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Dominant Ninth Chords →

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← Adding Flat Thirds to Major Triads and Pentatonic Scales

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Dominant Ninth Chords →

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← Adding Flat Thirds to Major Triads and Pentatonic Scales

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