Minor Seventh Chord

In music, a minor seventh chord is any nondominant seventh chord where the "third" note is a minor third above the root.

Most typically, minor seventh chord refers to where the "seventh" note is a minor seventh above the root (a fifth above the third note). This is more precisely known as a minor/minor seventh chord, and it can be represented as either as m7 or -7, or in integer notation, {0, 3, 7, 10}. In a natural minor scale, this chord is on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant degrees. In a harmonic minor scale, this chord is on the subdominant degrees. In an ascending melodic minor scale, this chord is on the supertonic degree. In a major scale, this chord is on the second (supertonic seventh), third (mediant) or sixth (submediant) degrees. For instance the ii7 in the ii-V-I turnaround.

Example of tonic minor seventh chords include LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade", Chic's "Le Freak", and the Eagles' "One Of These Nights".

When the seventh note is a major seventh above the root, it is called a minor/major seventh chord. Its harmonic function is similar to that of a "normal" minor seventh, as is the minor seven flat five or half-diminished chord – but in each case, the altered tone (seventh or fifth, respectively) creates a different feel which is exploited in modulations and to utilize leading-tones.