A chord described as M+m+m yields which seventh-chord quality?

• A. A Major Minor seventh chord
• B. A Minor Major seventh chord
• C. A Major Seventh Chord
• D. A Dominant seventh chord

Answer: (A)

Stacking thirds to build seventh chords shows the chord’s quality directly from the interval pattern. A pattern of major, then minor, then minor means the root-to-third interval is major, the next interval is a minor third, and the final interval up to the seventh is also a minor third. Put together, you have a major triad with a seventh that is a minor seventh above the root.

That combination is the dominant seventh, sometimes described as a Major-Minor seventh. For example, in C the notes would be C–E–G–B♭: C to E is a major third, E to G is a minor third, and G to B♭ is a minor third, giving a C7 chord. The other seventh-chord types would show different patterns (a major seventh has a major seventh above the root, a minor seventh has a minor triad with a minor seventh, etc.).