Exploiting the Harmonic Potential of Flattened Seventh Chords in Major Keys

Incorporating a flattened seventh chord in your compositions can add color, tension, and movement to your music. This article will guide you through understanding the chord, its common functions, voice leading, and stylistic contexts, illustrating with practical examples from my song, The Kids Are All Right.

Understanding the Chord

In a major key, the seventh chord is typically a major seventh chord. For example, in C major, the seventh chord is B-D-F. When you use a flattened seventh chord, you effectively reinterpret this, making it a B major chord (B-D-F).

Common Functions

Subdominant Function

A flattened seventh chord can function as a subdominant chord, IV in a modal interchange context. For instance, in C major, the chord B is borrowed from C Mixolydian to act as a subdominant function.

Dominate Function

It can also function as a secondary dominant, leading to the tonic or resolving to a chord that follows it. For example, in C major, B7 might resolve to a G chord.

Voice Leading

When using a flattened seventh chord, consider voice leading for a smooth transition. For example, moving from B to C, you can move B down to A and resolve D to C to create a seamless progression.

Progressions Incorporating Flattened Seventh Chords

Chord Progression 1

B - C - F: This progression can create a nice lift, giving your music a sense of forward movement.

Chord Progression 2

C - B - F - G: In this progression, B acts as a pivot to bring the listener back to F before moving to G.

Chord Progression 3

C - B - G - C: Here, B adds a bluesy feel before resolving back to the tonic, which can be particularly effective in creating tension and resolution.

Stylistic Contexts

Blues and Rock

Flattened seventh chords are prevalent in blues and rock music, often used to give a distinctive, bluesy quality. This chord can add color and tension to your progressions, enhancing your overall sound.

Jazz

In jazz, flattened seventh chords are often used in more complex progressions as dominant chords leading to altered chords. This technique can add depth and sophistication to your compositions.

Conclusion

Incorporating a flattened seventh chord into your major key compositions can enrich your harmonic palette and create interesting tensions and resolutions. Experiment with different placements and contexts to see how it enhances your music!

One practical example of this technique can be found in the verse of my song The Kids Are All Right. The verses begin in G major, the relative major of the main key E minor, but quickly progress to the flattened 7th F major via a simple sequence:

I G IV C i Gm viidim7/bVII bVII bIII bvii V7

While this may not look simple on paper, it can create a complex and interesting sound in practice. Listening to the piece can help you understand the nuanced harmonic interplay at work.

Exploring the potential of flattened seventh chords can open up a world of creative possibilities in your music. Try experimenting with these techniques in your own compositions to see how they enhance your musical expression.

Key Takeaways:

Flattened seventh chords can add color and tension to major key compositions. Consider voice leading for smooth transitions. Experiment with different stylistic contexts, such as blues, rock, and jazz.

Keywords: flattened seventh chord, major key, voice leading, chord progression, modal interchange