“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!
