Roman Numeral Analysis: Seventh Chords
printed from www.musictheory.net
In addition to triads, the Roman numeral analysis system also identifies diatonic seventh chords.
Let's discover these analysis symbols of the major and harmonic minor scales.
A three step process is used.
First, write the analysis symbols for the corresponding diatonic triads.
Next, add a small seven.
Finally, add a slash through the circle of each half-diminished seventh chord.
Some theorist use a variation of this system.
They prefer to add an upper-case 'M' to each seventh chord which uses a major seventh.
Although we will not use their system, you should be aware of its existence.
Next, let's look at inverted seventh chords.
The previously-discussed 7 identifies a root position seventh chord.
6 and 5 identify a first inversion seventh.
4 and 3 identify a second inversion seventh.
A lone 2 identifies a third inversion seventh chord.
Let's arrange the symbols in a different way. Notice anything unusual?
The inversion numbers are in numeric order from 7 to 2.
You can use this pattern to remember the inversion numbers for seventh chords.
If this lesson helps you, please purchase our apps to support our site.
In addition to triads, the Roman numeral analysis system also identifies diatonic seventh chords.
Let's discover these analysis symbols of the major and harmonic minor scales.
A three step process is used.
First, write the analysis symbols for the corresponding diatonic triads.
Next, add a small seven.
Finally, add a slash through the circle of each half-diminished seventh chord.
Some theorist use a variation of this system.
They prefer to add an upper-case 'M' to each seventh chord which uses a major seventh.
Although we will not use their system, you should be aware of its existence.
Next, let's look at inverted seventh chords.
The previously-discussed 7 identifies a root position seventh chord.
6 and 5 identify a first inversion seventh.
4 and 3 identify a second inversion seventh.
A lone 2 identifies a third inversion seventh chord.
Let's arrange the symbols in a different way. Notice anything unusual?
The inversion numbers are in numeric order from 7 to 2.
You can use this pattern to remember the inversion numbers for seventh chords.
If this lesson helps you, please purchase our apps to support our site.