| Inverse | major second |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Other names | flat seventh |
| Abbreviation | m7,♭7 |
| Size | |
| Semitones | 10 |
| Interval class | 2 |
| Just interval | 16:9[1] or 9:5[2] |
| Cents | |
| 12-Tone equal temperament | 1000 |
| Just intonation | 996 or 1018 |
Inmusic theory, aminor seventh is one of twomusical intervals that span sevenstaff positions. It isminor because it is the smaller of the two sevenths, spanning tensemitones. Themajor seventh spans eleven. For example, the interval from A3 to G4 is a minor seventh, as the note G4 lies ten semitones above A3, and there are seven staff positions from A3 to G4.Diminished andaugmented sevenths span the same number of staff positions, but consist of a different number of semitones (nine and twelve, respectively).
Minor seventh intervals rarely feature in melodies (and especially in their openings) but occur more often than major sevenths[according to whom?]. A well-known example, in part due to its frequent use in theory classes, is found between the first two words of the phrase "There's a place for us" in the song "Somewhere" inWest Side Story.[3] Another well-known example occurs between the first two notes of the introduction to themain theme music fromStar Trek: The Original Seriestheme.[4]
The most common occurrence of the minor seventh is built on theroot of the prevailingkey'sdominanttriad, producing the all-importantdominant seventh chord.
During thecommon practice period the minor seventh was prescribed as a dissonance, requiring resolution to a consonance.[5]
Injust intonation there is both a 16:9 "lesser just minor seventh", also called the "Pythagorean small minor seventh",[6](Playⓘ) equivalent to two perfect fourths stacked on top of each other, and 9:5, called the "greater just minor seventh" (Playⓘ)[7][8] equivalent to a perfect fifth and a minor third on top of each other. An interval close in frequency is theharmonic seventh. (Playⓘ)[9]
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