What is the most unpleasant chord?

The term dissonant here is used to describe the unpleasantness of the 7-chord and describing the 7-chord as the most dissonant chord in the major key means that the 7-chord is the most unpleasant chord in the major key.

hearandplay.com - The 7-Chord: The Most Dissonant Chord In The Major Key

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The most dissonant chord in the major key that is rarely used is the 7-chord and in this lesson I’ll tell you why. The term dissonant here is used to describe the unpleasantness of the 7-chord and describing the 7-chord as the most dissonant chord in the major key means that the 7-chord is the most unpleasant chord in the major key. Before I go ahead and tell you why the 7-chord is the most dissonant chord in the major key, let’s invest the next segment into refreshing our minds on the 7-chord in the major key.

A Quick Review On The 7-chord In The Major Key

The chord of the 7th tone of the scale in any key is known as the 7-chord and this is derived from a number system where chords are associated with numbers.

In the number system, every tone of the C major scale:

…is associated with numbers, starting from C which is associated with 1:

C is 1 D is 2 E is 3 F is 4 G is 5 A is 6 B is 7 The 7-chord is the chord of the seventh tone of the C major scale (which is B):

…and can either be a triad or a seventh chord:

Triad (B diminished triad):

Seventh chord (B half-diminished seventh chord):

“How To Find The 7-chord In Any Key…”

Go a half-step below the first tone in any key you’re in and form a diminished triad or a half-diminished seventh chord and you’ll have the 7-chord.

In the key of D major:

…a half-step below D (which is the first tone in the key):

…is C#:

So, C# diminished triad and C# half-diminished seventh chord:

C# diminished triad:

C# half-diminished seventh chord:

…are 7-chord options in the key of D major.

The Dissonance Of The 7-chord — Explained

The major key is populated with common chords and they are either of a major or minor quality: the 1-chord, 2-chord, 3-chord, etc., are all common chords and they are NOT dissonant.

Let’s discuss briefly on common chords.

A Short Note On Common Chords

When the interval between the root and fifth tone of a chord is a perfect fifth, such a chord is said to be a common chord.

In the key of C major:

…where the 1-chord is the C major triad:

…the interval between the root and fifth tone (which are C and G respectively):

…is a perfect fifth interval.

The 7-chord Is Not A Common Chord

The only chord that stands out in the major key is the 7-chord and this is because every other chord is a common chord. A closer look at the B diminished triad: …which is the 7-chord in the key of C major, you’ll notice that the interval (or distance) between its root and fifth tone (which are B and F respectively):

…is a diminished fifth.

The diminished fifth interval between the root and fifth tone of the 7-chord makes the 7-chord sound unstable, unpleasant, and dissonant.

Final Words

The primary reason why the 7-chord is the most dissonant chord in the major key is because it is NOT a common chord. The 7-chord is rarely used in the major key and when used, it functions as an incomplete dominant chord and we’ll be looking at the relationship between the 7-chord and the dominant chord in another lesson.

All the best!

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