Below is a comparison between a minor seventh chord (m7) and a minor sev-
enth flat-five chord (m7<5).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
B
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
B C
D
E
F
G
A
Locrian Mode
Bm7<5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
D
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Dorian Mode
Dm7
{
{
3 steps
3½ steps
{
Minor 3rd
{
Minor 3rd
{
Major 3rd
Chord Notation
There is no one set way to notate chords. This can cause some confusion. For
instance, often a dominant seventh chord with G in the root is written G7. This is
sometimes confused with Gmaj7. In order to avoid this possible confusion, the
Harmonizer uses a less common but clearer way to note a dominant chord (Ex:
Gdom7). The list below shows intervals, their names, and popular chord nota-
tions. Sometimes symbols are used to represent different types of chords.
Flats & Sharps with Intervals
A sharp (>) in front of an interval indicates that it is augmented a half step. A flat
(<) in front indicates that it is diminished a half step.
1 - 3 - 5
1 - 3 - 5 - 6
1 - 3 - 5 - 7
1 - <3 - 5
1 - <3 - 5 - 7
1 - 3 - 5 - <7
1 - <3 - <5
1 - <3 - <5 - <<7
*
1 - <3 -<5 - <7
Major
Major Sixth
Major Seventh
Minor
Minor Seventh
Dominant Seventh
Diminished
Diminished Seventh
Half-Diminished
C, Cmaj
C6
Cmaj7, C
\
7
Cm, C^
Cm7, C^7
C7, Cdom7
Cdim, C[
C[7, Cdim7
Cm7<5, C]
Intervals
Chord Nam
e
Notation (with C as the root)
17
* The diminished seventh is derived from a mode whose 7th note is a whole step
lower than the 7th note of the major scale. This is called a double-flatted 7th
interval. It is equal to a major 6th (4½ steps).
