Diminished 7th Chords - Music Theory

Music Matters
21 Dec 201706:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video explains what a diminished seventh chord is and how to build one. It starts on any note, then stacks minor thirds by counting up three semitones to create a tense, dramatic sound. A diminished seventh belongs to a key, specifically as chord VII. In C major, this uses the notes B, D, F, A-flat which are already a minor third apart. The diminished seventh adds color and drama when inserted before chord I in a piece. The goal is for viewers to experiment with diminished sevenths to add flair to their music.

Takeaways
  • 😀 A diminished seventh chord adds color and drama to music
  • 👍 You can build a diminished seventh chord by stacking minor thirds
  • 🎹 To make a diminished seventh, start on any note and count up three semitones repeatedly
  • 🎼 Diminished sevenths belong to musical keys and are the VII chord
  • 🔢 To find the VII chord, count up 7 notes in the key's scale
  • 🚀 The notes in the VII chord are already a minor third apart
  • 🆕 Add one more minor third on top to make a diminished seventh
  • 🚨 A diminished seventh chord pulls strongly to the I chord
  • 🎵 Use a diminished seventh for dramatic effect in your music
  • 🤔 Experiment with diminished sevenths to add color to your songs
Q & A

  • What is a diminished seventh chord and what does it add to music?

    -A diminished seventh chord consists of minor thirds stacked on top of each other. It adds color and drama to music.

  • How can you build a diminished seventh chord starting on any note?

    -Start on any note, then build minor thirds by counting up three semitones to add additional notes. This will create the diminished seventh chord.

  • What is the pattern of intervals that makes up a diminished seventh chord?

    -The pattern of intervals is minor thirds. For example, C to Eb is a minor third, Eb to F#/Gb is a minor third, and so on.

  • Where can you find the diminished seventh chord in the key of C major?

    -The diminished seventh chord is found on the seventh degree of the C major scale, which is chord VII - B, D, F, Ab.

  • Why does a diminished seventh chord tend to resolve to chord I?

    -The diminished seventh pulls towards resolution due to its dissonant and tense sound. It often resolves by moving up a semitone which leads it nicely to chord I.

  • What are some ways a diminished seventh chord can be used in music?

    -It can be used to add color, drama and tension. It works well in ominous or suspenseful passages and is used frequently in cinema scoring.

  • What are enharmonic note names?

    -Enharmonic notes sound the same pitch but have different note names, like D# and Eb. Which name used depends on the key signature.

  • What are some tips for experimenting with diminished seventh chords?

    -Try placing them before resolving to a major or minor chord. Also try using them in place of dominant seventh chords for an edgy sound.

  • How can you find chord VII in a major key besides C major?

    -The diminished triad chord is always built on the 7th degree/scale degree of any major key or harmonic minor scale.

  • How did diminished sevenths get that dramatic sound associated with silent movies?

    -Early cinema piano scoring relied heavily on the diminished chord's tense sound to heighten suspense and emphasize dramatic moments on screen.

Outlines
00:00
😀 What is a Diminished Seventh Chord

This paragraph introduces the diminished seventh chord, describing it as useful for adding color and drama in music. It explains how to build a diminished seventh chord by stacking minor thirds, provides examples starting on C, and notes the distinctive sound. It also mentions associations with silent movies.

05:02
😃 Using Diminished Seventh Chords

This paragraph suggests using diminished seventh chords to add dramatic color while playing in C major. It encourages experimenting with these chords and notes that they are often followed by a I chord, giving an example of moving from the diminished VII chord to the I chord in C major.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡diminished seventh chord
A diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord built by stacking minor thirds. It creates an unresolved, tense sound that adds drama and color. In the video, the instructor shows how to build a diminished seventh chord starting on any note, using the note C as an example. He explains the chord's role is to add color and drama when used in a piece of music.
💡minor third
A minor third is an interval of three semitones between two notes. The video explains that a diminished seventh chord is constructed by stacking minor thirds on top of each other. For example, starting on C, we count up three semitones to Eb, then three more to F#, and another three to A, creating the diminished seventh.
💡enharmonic
Enharmonic refers to two notes that sound the same pitch but have different letter names. For example, D# and Eb are enharmonic notes. The video points out that the notes in a diminished seventh chord can have different enharmonic spellings, like F# and Gb, but the sound is the same.
💡chord VII
In the key of C major, chord VII refers to the chord built on the 7th degree of the C major scale, which is the note B. The video shows that this chord forms a fully diminished seventh chord within the key. So chord VII in a major key always equals a diminished seventh chord.
💡dramatic color
The video explains that the unresolved sound of the diminished seventh chord adds dramatic color when used in music. This means it increases tension, instability, and drama to make the music more emotional and striking.
💡silent film music
The instructor references silent films as a common musical context where diminished seventh chords were widely used to heighten the drama and emotion. Their tense, unsettled sound worked well alongside overacted gesture and melodrama in those old movies.
💡chord progression
The video shows a common chord progression used with diminished sevenths is to follow them with chord I in the key. The unresolved diminished seventh pulls into the stable tonic chord. This progression increases tension then releases it.
💡scale degrees
Scale degrees refer to the numeric position of notes within a scale. So in the key of C, C is the 1st degree, D is the 2nd, E the 3rd, and so on up to B as the 7th degree. The video uses scale degrees to determine chord VII and the diminished seventh chord within a key.
💡color chord
A color chord refers to a chord that adds musical color or flavor outside the primary chords. Diminished sevenths are color chords - they don't function in the main harmony but add extra emotional spice.
💡tension and release
The video demonstrates how diminished chords create musical tension that leads to release when resolved to a stable chord. This tension and release is an important way that diminished chords heighten emotion and drama within musical passages.
Highlights

First key insight from transcript

Second main conclusion from speakers

Notable contribution mentioned around 3 minute mark

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Is it Really a Half Diminished 7th Chord? - Music Theory

#36 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

Roman Numeral Chord Notation - Music Theory

Chord Identification - Music Theory

Modulation using the German 6th Chord - Music Theory

Modulation using Diminished 7ths - Music Theory

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: