Five Essential 7th Chords  
A clever exercise based on the major scale, you will learn to play all five 7th chord types in all 12 keys. This lesson will get you playing lead sheets faster than any other method. There are 5 types of 7th chords that make up the chords to most tunes. Learn these and you can play the chords to virtually any tune. But fumbling with piling intervals on top of one another is time consuming. This method streamlines the process into simply playing the major scale and adjusting the notes accordingly to form all 5 essential chord types. In addition, you will learn how to read chord symbols and learn the chord changes to 4 tunes: Solar, Night and Day, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise and There is No Greater Love.

Updates Include: Expanded and improved video lesson; two additional randomized quizzes on major scales and 7th chords; expanded and improved Practice Sessions with Bonus video footage of Practice Session 1. Transcription of Bill Evan's recording of Night and Day from his 1956 recording Everybody Digs Bill Evans.

Lesson Stats
When added: 4/6/07; Updated 1/11/09; Duration: 18 minutes;

Prerequisites
Moderate keyboard proficiency. Ability to read notation and play all 12 major scales.

Quizzes
Quiz 1: practice building major scales (with hints)
Quiz 2: practice building major scales (no hints)
Quiz 3: practice building the 5 essential 7th chords (with hints)
Quiz 4: practice building the 5 essential 7th chords (no hints)

Practice Sessions & Playalongs
Practice Session 1: Learn the drill in all 12 keys. (Bonus video footage included of the entire practice session)
Practice Session 2: Use the drill to play the chords to Night and Day.
Practice Session 3: Use the drill to play the chords to Softly as in a Morning Sunrise.
Practice Session 4: Use the drill to play the chords to There is No Greater Love.
Includes play-alongs for practice sessions 2-4 in MIDI, Band-in-a-Box™ and GarageBand formats.

Resources for further Listening and Reading
Check out these featured books and recordings.