Minor Seventh
Definition & Properties
The minor seventh creates a mildly dissonant, bluesy sound that drives harmonic motion. It is the interval that defines dominant and minor seventh chords and appears in blues melody.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | m7 |
| Semitones | 10 |
| Quality | Minor |
| Just Ratio | 9:5 |
| Cents from Equal | +17.60 |
| Harmonic Character | mild dissonance |
Ear Training Reference
The Minor Seventh (m7) is commonly recognized by the ascending motion of: Somewhere (West Side Story); dominant 7th chord.
Practice direction: ascending — sing from the lower note up by 10 semitones.
Note Pair Examples
| Note 1 | Note 2 | Interval | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | A# | Minor Seventh | 10 |
| G | F | Minor Seventh | 10 |
| D | C | Minor Seventh | 10 |
| F | D# | Minor Seventh | 10 |
Intonation by Temperament
The Minor Seventh measures 9:5 in just intonation (+17.60 cents from equal temperament). This deviation affects ensemble tuning and instrument voicing.
| Temperament | C4 (Hz) | A#4 (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Temperament | 261.626 | 466.164 |
| Pythagorean | 260.740 | 463.538 |
| Just Intonation | 261.626 | 470.926 |
Instrument Tuning Context
The Minor Seventh (10 semitones) appears in chord voicings where intonation precision matters for blend. Equal vs. just tuning difference: 17.60 cents.
Chords & Scales Containing This Interval
Chords
These chord types contain the Minor Seventh as a characteristic interval:
Scales
These scales include the Minor Seventh as a structural interval: