Basic Substitution and Function of Seventh Chords

Question 1

List the qualities of the diatonic seventh chords in minor.

Answer 1

i- min7
ii- min7b5 (half diminished)
III- Maj7
iv- min7
V- dom7
VI- Maj7 or #vi- min7b5 (half diminished)
VII- dom7 or #vii- dim7

Question 2

What is the function of the tonic seventh chord in major and minor keys?

Answer 2

In both major and minor the tonic seventh chord establishes the key center. It doesn’t need to progress but may go anywhere.

Question 3

What’s the function of the ii min7 or ii min7b5 in major and minor keys, respectively?

Answer 3

The ii chord in major and minor functions as a substitute for the IV chord. It progresses to either V or bII.

Question 4

What is the function of the iii or III chord in major and minor keys respectively?

Answer 4

The III chord in both major and minor is a substitute for the tonic seventh chord.

In major it progresses to either VI or bIII.
In minor it progresses to either bVI or II. It is also the relative major key center.

Question 5

What is the function of the IV seventh chord in major and minor respectively?

Answer 5

In both major and minor the IV substitutes for the II. It often serves as a temporary key center for relief.

In major the IV progresses to V.
In minor the IV progresses to either V or bVII.

Question 6

What is the function of the V7 chord in major and minor?

Answer 6

The V7 progresses to I in both major and minor.

Question 7

What is the function of the VI chord in both major and minor?

Answer 7

The VI chord in both major and minor substitutes for both the I and IV chords.

In major it progresses to either II or bVI and serves as the relative minor key center.
In minor it progresses to either bII or to V.

Question 8

What is the function of the altered VI (vi min7b5) in minor keys?

Answer 8

The altered VI in minor is a substitute for I. It progresses to II or bVI.

Question 9

What is the function of the VII chord in major?

Answer 9

The VII substitutes for V7 in major. It progresses to I.

Question 10

What is the fun of the VII7 chord in minor?

Answer 10

The VII dom7 in minor functions as a transitional chord between IV min7 and I. It progresses to either I or bIII.

Question 11

What is the function of the VII dim7 chord in minor?

Answer 11

The VII dim7 in minor substitutes for V7b9. It progresses to I.

Question 12

What are the three general conclusions about seventh chord functions?

Answer 12

1- major, minor and half diminished seventh chords have more than one normal function.

2- dominant and diminished seventh chords commonly resolve to key center.

3- many chords commonly progress either down a fifth or down a half step.

Question 13

What is a turn-around progression?

Answer 13

A turn-around progression is used to turn around from a I chord at the end of a phrase to start a new phrase on another I chord.

It uses a VI chord to move away from I and move down a fifth to II.

Question 14

What is the usual II-V-I progression in major?

Answer 14

II min7 - V7 - I Maj7

Question 15

What is the usual II-V-I progression in minor?

Answer 15

II min7b5 - V7b9 - I min7

Question 16

List the qualities of the diatonic seventh chords in major.

Answer 16

I- Maj7
ii- min7
iii- min7
IV- Maj7
V- dom7
VI- min7
vii- min7b5 (half diminished)