Helloo.
Could anyone explain to me how dominant sevenths and diminished sevenths are formed?
I think I know, but i get confused.
Thanks!
x

Dominant seventh is built on the 5th degree of the scale (the dominant) and consists of the triad plus the 7th note from the root.
So in C the dominant seventh is G B D(the triad) plus F (7 notes up from G). It is F natural because it's the dominant of C and not of G.

Diminished sevenths are intervals of a minor third stacked up. There are 4 notes in the chord.

Thanks thats helped a bit
Still tad confused =p
x

What don't you get still?

Diminished chords are really interesting! They are lots of minor 3rds on top of each other.

Eg. The minor third for D is F
then the minor 3rd for F is Ab,
the minor 3rd for Ab is Cb, which is the same note as B
the minor third for B is D

thus, D diminished is D, F, Ab, B, D.

Dominant 7ths - just take the 5th note of the scale and play that chord but with a flat 7th.

Hope that helps.

and so eg diminished starting on F is the same 4 notes but starting on F i.e. F, Ab, B, D, F.

Actually you only have to remember diminished 7ths starting on C, C# and D to know them all

If describing it as taking the 5th note of the scale I wouldn't refer to the flat 7th.
If you take the 5th note of C and play the dominant 7th you are still in the key of C and flattening the 7th would give you Fb not F natural.

If you describe the same dominant 7th chord as ON G rather than IN C then it would make more sense (to me anyway) to mention the flat 7th as you might assume that the key was G.


Or any 3 consecutive semitones......

Ahhaaa
I am beginning to understand
I understand the dominat sevenths its the diminshed ones that confuse me

Sbhoa - i didn't understand about the diminshed sevenths.

Thanks everyone for your help!
x

Does Clarinetgiggirl's post help?

If not which part is the problem... is it the interval of a minor 3rd?

Yeah I understand now
Thank yoouuu!
x