Adding Soul to Major Triads: A Guide to Dominant Chords

ByDaniel Weiss

If you’ve been playing music for a while, you know that dominant chords are everywhere – from Blues to any style of Western music. Today, I’m going to show you a few steps to gain better control over them.

TL;DR
Here’s the deal: dominant chords are just major triads with a flat 7. Master where that 7 sits in C7 and you’ll hear it everywhere.

First, I’ll record a loop that goes like this:

Now, let’s look at the triads and where the seventh is located. The flat seven is key to our dominant sound. We have root, third, fifth, and the seventh. You can see that it’s a minor third above the fifth and its own below the root, so we get this:

In the first inversion, you can locate it either over here after the fifth:

Or you can see it on one string from the root. For example, B flat as the seven gives us:

And that’s the second inversion:

What you might notice is that with C7, you actually get both C and E diminished. Here’s the root position of C:

And the second inversion of E diminished:

You can learn more about triads on my website, wiseguitar.com, or check the link in the description. Here’s the first inversion, which can also be an E diminished:

You can approach any of these chord tones. For example, approaching the fifth from the sixth:

Or use an arpeggio to connect:

Try bending from the flat three to the three:

So, from D sharp or E flat to E:

Or bend from the minor third into the root:

Another approach could be blending in the fourth and second into the E:

You can manipulate a triad in many ways. This is just the beginning, and the possibilities are endless.

For a deeper dive into this, check out my Galactic Modern Guitar Program on my website, wiseguitar.com. The link is in the description.

Thank you for watching! If you want to see a cool video on minor triads, check out this video where I demonstrate some ideas on a minor vamp:

01 Learn How to Manipulate Triads and Control Dominant Chords with These Simple Steps

Dominant chords are everywhere in Western music, from blues to jazz to rock. If you’ve been playing music for a while, you know that these chords can add a lot of excitement and emotion to your playing. However, mastering dominant chords can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the underlying structure of the major triad.

This is the stuff that changed everything for me. The Fretboard Freedom Path shows you how these dominant sounds stack on top of your triads.
Explore the Fretboard Freedom Path →

In this video, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of dominant chords and show you some simple steps you can take to have better control over them. We’ll start by looking at the root, third, fifth, and seventh of the major triad, and show you where the seventh is located. The flat seventh is the key sound of our dominance, so it’s important to understand where it fits in.

Here are the steps we’ll cover:

  1. Understand the root, third, fifth, and seventh of the major triad.
  2. Learn where the seventh is located.
  3. Manipulate triads to create interesting flavors in your playing.
  4. Approach chord tones to control dominant chords.

By understanding these steps, you’ll be able to add some soul to the major triads that are so essential to learn. You’ll have better control over dominant chords, and you’ll be able to create interesting flavors in your playing.

Dominant Chords - Adding Soul to Major Triads

Here are some key takeaways:

  • When you think about C7, you’re actually getting both C and E diminished. This is because the C7 chord is made up of the root position of C and the second inversion of E diminished.
  • By approaching chord tones, you can create interesting flavors in your playing. For example, you can approach the fifth from the sixth, or the fourth and second into the seventh.
  • Manipulating triads is a great way to create interesting flavors in your playing. By bending notes or blending in other notes, you can create unique sounds that will make your playing stand out.

In conclusion, understanding dominant chords is essential for any musician who wants to add some soul to their playing. By following the steps outlined in this video, you’ll be well on your way to mastering these chords and creating interesting flavors in your playing.

Daniel Weiss

About Daniel Weiss

Berklee-trained jazz fusion guitarist, Guitar Idol 2016 finalist, and praised by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Daniel has taught over 5,000 students worldwide through his Fretboard Freedom Path method. Learn more

Your next step
The Fretboard Freedom Path
A structured roadmap that connects triads, arpeggios, and voice leading into one system. Every step builds on the last – so you always know what to practice next.
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Frequently Asked Questions

02 What makes a dominant chord different from a regular major triad?

A dominant chord is simply a major triad with a flat 7 (minor seventh) added on top. For example, C7 is a C major triad (C-E-G) plus a B♭. This flat 7 is what gives dominant chords their characteristic tension and that distinctive sound you hear everywhere in blues and Western music.

03 How do I find the flat 7 on the fretboard in different inversions?

In first inversion, you can locate the flat 7 either right after the fifth, or as a single-string interval from the root. For C7, the B♭ (flat 7) sits a minor third above the fifth and an octave below the root, giving you multiple positions to choose from depending on your playing style.

04 Can I approach dominant chord tones with bends and arpeggios?

Absolutely – you can approach any chord tone in a dominant chord. Try bending from the flat 3 (E♭) up to the major 3 (E), or bend from the minor third into the root. You can also use arpeggios to connect tones or blend in approach notes like the 2nd and 4th to add flavor and expression.

05 Why do C7 and E diminished share the same notes in certain inversions?

In the second inversion of C7, you get C-E-G-B♭, which contains the same pitches as the second inversion of E diminished (E-G-B♭-D in a different octave arrangement). Understanding this relationship helps you see how dominant chords relate to diminished triads and gives you more flexibility in your voicings.

Key Takeaway
In summary: The flat 7 is a minor third above the 5th. Find it there and dominant chords make sense.
Daniel Weiss