What Are 7th Chords?

Do you want to learn how to improvise more advanced Jazz Piano? Perhaps your chords lack a little spice and colour? Do they sound too plain? The third in this series moves from blues chords to 7ths chords. Perhaps you want to try the most upcoming unit used in schools today (contact us for school and university subscriptions)? You might be taking pop piano exams (Grades 3-5), or simply a keen amateur at home who wants to just sit and improvise. This is the piano course that will maximise your jazz piano fun!

What are 7th Chords?

Check out this Jazz Piano Course!

Here you explore 7th chords which create a richer harmonic colour and make your playing sound much more mature.

Leading on from “Chords n Blues” take your next steps to musical freedom!

Developing 7ths

• Grab your Claw: 7ths

Chord Improv 1: Parallel 7ths

• Overview: The 4 Diatonic Sevens!
• Parallels: Oh When the Saints
• Parallels 2: Pedal Points.

Chord Improv 2: The Major 7th Chord

• Major 7ths: Gymnopédie (Erik Satie)
• Major 7ths: Imagine (John Lennon)

Chord Improv 3: The Dominant 7th Chord

• Dominant 7ths: Twist and Shout (The Beatles)
• Dominant 7ths: Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
• Dominant 7ths: I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
• Maj 7th V Dom 7th: Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer)

Chord Improv 4: The Minor 7th Chord, Inversions & Voicing

• Minor 7ths: La fille aux cheveux de Lin, Preludes Bk 1:8 (Debussy)
• Minor 7ths: Another Brick in the Wall 2 (Pink Floyd)
• Minor 7ths, Inversions & Voicing: Long Train Runnin’ (The Doobie Brothers)
• Maj 7ths V min 7ths: American Boy (Estelle)

Chord Improv 5: The ½ Diminished & Diminished 7th

• ½ Dim 7th: Summertime (Gershwin)
• Dim 7th: Michelle (Beatles)
• Shapes: Simple 7th Chord Progressions
• Major Key ii7-V7-I7: Perdido
• Minor Key ii7-V7-i7 & Circle of 5ths: Autumn Leaves

Richard Michael BEM was awarded the Royal BEM for his exceptional work. He was also winner of the “Scottish Jazz Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2021”. He is an Honorary Professor of Jazz Piano at University of St Andrews and a BBC Radio Scotland Broadcaster. He was a major contributor to the development of the ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus. His publication “Jazz Piano for Kids” was Published by Hal Leonard.

Richard has an incredible ability to teach jazz piano in a way that makes everything seem easy!

This is the third course in the Richard Michael BEM’s (yes, awarded by the UK Queen for his Jazz teaching) series.

Our music masterclass courses are self-study digital courses embedded with information, interactive music software (scores), exercises, objectives, tasks, teaching pedagogy and videos of celebrities and international level musicians explaining and demonstrating key skills. Certificates are awarded at the end of each course.

🎵 Why Choose Our Music Learning Platform?

Unlock a rich, flexible, and inspiring music education experience designed for musicians of all levels. Whichever area of musical learning inspires you, our world-class performers offer it all.

A Quick Look at a Typical Masterclass Course

Sample Interactive Score

Course Dashboard with Progress and Points

 

Thorough Musicianship
Creativity, improvisation, and ear training are seamlessly integrated with popular, gospel, classical and jazz melodies to help you achieve true musical freedom.

Unique Learning Journey
Our tailored methodology emphasises improvisation and aural skills first, with notation used to support—not restrict—your creativity.

Certification
Courses include clear objectives, tasks, and fun quizzes that lead to downloadable certificates—perfect for motivation and recognition.

Gamification
Track your progress and climb the league tables by earning certificate points and logging in regularly.

️ Interactive Software
Our custom music software links visual notation with sound to enhance your creativity and understanding.

Celebrity Masterclasses
Learn from internationally acclaimed musicians and award-winning performers through high-quality video lessons and real-world demonstrations.

Expert Pedagogy
Each self-study course is structured with professional teaching principles, goal-setting, progress tracking, and step-by-step tasks.

Flexible Learning
Study from home, at your own pace. Affordable monthly fees and no need to travel—music learning that fits your lifestyle.

Human Touch
Get personalised support from our expert team and request custom courses tailored to your goals.

Personalised Experience
Receive bespoke course recommendations and guided learning plans based on your interests and skill level.

For All Levels
A wide range of self-study courses, celebrity masterclasses, and optional 1-1 lessons designed for adult and teenage musicians, university/conservatoire students, home schoolers, and music therapists.

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A Quick Look at a Typical Masterclass Course

•  Celebrity video lessons
•  Objectives & exercises
•  Progress tracking
• ️ Interactive music software
•  Certificate on completion