Which chord is C-7

[ronaldor]

Perhaps sounds elemental but not for me.I have a progression D7,G7,Cm7,F7,E-7,A7 what chords are C-7 can some caind person explain for me.Is not Cb7 and not Cm7 so...
Thanks you very much,yes i´m a beginner Ron

[Mushroo]

Usually, C-7 is an abbreviation for C Minor 7 (C, Eb, G, Bb).

[HaVIC5]

The "-" symbol means minor. A lot of people like the system of notation where you assign symbols to the chord types versus letters (delta for major, - for minor, + for augmented, o for diminished, etc.) Others, myself included, like to use the - symbol to differentiate a minor 7 chord as much as possible from a major 7 chord. People will often use things like M7 and m7 in the same chart, or "ma7" and "m7, but I'll typically used "maj7" and "-7" to illustrate the greatest possible contrast.

What you should NEVER do, however, is mix two different symbols for the same chord quality, like what you have in that chord progression. Both the lower case m and the minus sign signify the same thing, and so when you have that happening, it creates a lot of confusion. Always stay consistant.

[ronaldor]

Thanks you guys!

[Stealth]

A C-7 is also likely to be a C dominant chord (C E G Bb). I'm not sure if the minus is a normally omitted thing - either way, the best way to figure it out is just listen to the song and see what fits best.

Personally, I prefer using the CM7/Cm7/C7 notation for major-minor-dominant, but as it's already been said, different notations over the years make mixups way too common.

[E2daGGurl]

There are three kinds of 7th chords (actually there are more - see the link below). I think maybe that's where you're getting confused (as you've got terms for two kinds in one question - and there's that third kind you haven't mentioned).

Cmaj7
C-7, Cm7
C7

Now, the first one is the major seventh chord. It's actually not the most famous or most used seventh chord - but it's a lovely chord, often used in jazz. This is the one that is built by playing the root, the third, the fifth and the major seventh of the scale (Cmaj7 = C, E, G, B). Notice that this makes that top note just one fret (half step) down from the root. Some regard this as somewhat discordant.

Cm7 would involve two changes: the third dropped down a half tone (to E-flat) and now, that B also drops down - to B-flat. Nice. Fundamental to blues and rock. (so C, Eb, G, Bb).

But that regular C7? Well, that's a chord of immense importance in Western Music. It's called the dominant 7th - or just the 7th and that may be what you're looking for. It is like the major - it starts with C, E and G (1, 3, and 5) but adds the minor 7th (the Bb) instead of the B. To many people this sounds nicer than the Cmaj7.

To me, when I see C7 - it means the dominant 7th (not the major 7th): CEGBb.

Interestingly, in much of western music, a 7th chord (NOT a major 7th or a minor 7th - but the dominant 7th) is used to end many pieces. If a song is in C, then G7 is used to end or bridge the piece. G is the perfect 5th of C, and G7 began to be used a lot inside songs in C during the late Middle Ages (and probably before).

So, if you're playing in C, G7 is a good chord to know. If you're playing in G, D7 is your friend.

But distinguishing these three kinds of 7th chords is rather confusing, I think, at first. It's helpful to have a keyboard (or a picture of a keyboard) that shows them.



I hope that shows up - it's a bunch of dominant 7ths (the one that's usually written C7, G7, as indicated) all built in the same way of course.

Wikipedia has a good article too.

There are diminished and augmented (etc.) 7ths as well, which come in handy in some jazz (and rock) tunes.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by Stealth

A C-7 is also likely to be a C dominant chord (C E G Bb). I'm not sure if the minus is a normally omitted thing - either way, the best way to figure it out is just listen to the song and see what fits best.

Personally, I prefer using the CM7/Cm7/C7 notation for major-minor-dominant, but as it's already been said, different notations over the years make mixups way too common.

I have never, ever seen a C dominant 7 chord notated using C-7.

For what it's worth, I work for a music publisher, and we use the following abbreviations in our books:

CMaj7 = C Major 7
Cmin7 = C Minor 7
C7 = C Dominant 7

[WJGreer]

C7 is a major third, minor seventh. C-E-G-Bb.

As an aside, the tritone relationship between the major third and the minor seventh gives this chord a sense of tension that made it the foundation for jazz music.

[HaVIC5]

Originally Posted by Stealth

A C-7 is also likely to be a C dominant chord (C E G Bb). I'm not sure if the minus is a normally omitted thing - either way, the best way to figure it out is just listen to the song and see what fits best.

Personally, I prefer using the CM7/Cm7/C7 notation for major-minor-dominant, but as it's already been said, different notations over the years make mixups way too common.

No, C-7 is NEVER indicative of a dominant chord. I've seen some pretty screwy charts before, but I've never seen one where it would indicate that. Cm7 is also never used in contemporary usage as a dominant 7th, although in old school classical textbooks it might have been.

[E2daGGurl]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

I have never, ever seen a C dominant 7 chord notated using C-7.

For what it's worth, I work for a music publisher, and we use the following abbreviations in our books:

CMaj7 = C Major 7
Cmin7 = C Minor 7
C7 = C Dominant 7

Yes, exactly. Although I see Cm7 all the time for the minor 7th, which I prefer.

I agree the hyphen/minus is used for the minor chord - but I have to look through a lot of my sheet music to find an example of any publisher actually using that (and I've got a century's worth of examples, from my grandma on down).

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by E2daGGurl

I agree the hyphen/minus is used for the minor chord - but I have to look through a lot of my sheet music to find an example of any publisher actually using that (and I've got a century's worth of examples, from my grandma on down).

I've seen it frequently in jazz charts. Also the little triangle for major. Maybe I'm wrong, but my theory is the jazz cats like to use the most minimal chord symbols possible so that your hand doesn't get tired writing 2 or 4 chords per measure.

[projectMalamute]

Originally Posted by E2daGGurl

Yes, exactly. Although I see Cm7 all the time for the minor 7th, which I prefer.

I agree the hyphen/minus is used for the minor chord - but I have to look through a lot of my sheet music to find an example of any publisher actually using that (and I've got a century's worth of examples, from my grandma on down).

I don't think you would need to look that hard. Just off the top of my head you will see C-7 for minor 7 in every Aebersold book and most of the stuff that comes out of Berklee.

[JTE]

C-7 generally means minor 7 (1, b3, 5, b7). The problem with using "M" for major and "m" for minor is that in hand-written charts it can be very easy to confuse them. I prefer "Cmin7" as it's pretty unambigious.

Cmin7 is very clear, as is CMaj7, and C7
C-7 is also clear enough, but C(delta, or triangle) 7 isn't clear except by convention.
Cm7 in a handwritten script could easily be confused with CM7

jte

[Sean S]

Not exactly to do with the OP's question, but I like to be as clear as possible when writing out chords.

I.E.
Maj = Major
Min = Minor
Aug = Augmented
Dim = Diminished
For Dominant 7th chords, I use just a 7. For example, C7

[DocBop]

C-7 is always C minor 7. I've also seen it as Cmin7, Cmi7, Cm7 just have to get used to all of them because different regions of the world and different styles of music tend to favor certain symbol.

Now the one that I saw a bit in the past and appears to of luckily died out is a 7 with a slash thru it. That was a symbol for Major 7 chord.

The other one that drive some batty, but I like is the circle with an line thru it for mi7b5 chord. The first time I worked with this woman piano player I made some chord charts using - and slashed cirles for mi7b5 thinking everyone know those... Oh did I get an earful she had a degree in classical piano and had never seen symbols like that.

Another symbol some noobies aren't sure what to do with is C7 alt. Means they want an altered dominant chord and you can use any alterations you like. Usually used on a V in a minor key.

Whether you like these symbols or not you need to be aware of them just in case they showup on a chart. Also know the basics of Nashville charts.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

No, C-7 is NEVER indicative of a dominant chord. I've seen some pretty screwy charts before, but I've never seen one where it would indicate that. Cm7 is also never used in contemporary usage as a dominant 7th, although in old school classical textbooks it might have been.

Erm, where did I say that Cm7 ever implied a dominant 7?

Just trying to figure out what I said vs. what was read.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by Stealth

Erm, where did I say that Cm7 ever implied a dominant 7?

Just trying to figure out what I said vs. what was read.

The statement I took issue with was the following:

Originally Posted by Stealth

A C-7 is also likely to be a C dominant chord (C E G Bb).

C Dominant 7 is almost always written C7. Rarely, I've seen it written Cdom7, but never C-7 (which I would interpret as C Minor 7).

[Deacon_Blues]

C-7 = Cm7 = Cmi7 = Cmin7 = Cminor7 = C+Eb+G+Bb. End of story. No wait, if you stretch it, it could be written at least as Eb/C as well....

I was surprised when I saw this thread had gotten more than one reply. Now, this is reply #17.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by Deacon_Blues

I was surprised when I saw this thread had gotten more than one reply. Now, this is reply #17.

Dude, this is Talkbass! Nothing should surprise you.

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by ronaldor

Perhaps sounds elemental but not for me.I have a progression D7,G7,Cm7,F7,E-7,A7 what chords are C-7 can some caind person explain for me.Is not Cb7 and not Cm7 so...
Thanks you very much,yes i´m a beginner Ron

The E-7 has already been explained.

I wouldn't expect the chart to mix conventions, so I'm willing to bet that the Cm7 is actually a C major 7.