Theory & Impro Dominant 7th in the key of A

[Chris98]

Hello,

Why does the dominant 7th in the key of A start on an E, the fifth note? I had asked my teacher but that was a while ago and I can't remember her explanation now.

All the best,

Chris

 

[Simon]

E dominant 7 (E7) = E F# G# A B C# D E

A Major = A B C# D E F# G# A

So the same notes are in both. Go to the 5th note of A Major (E) and you've got E7. Harmony wise, E7 is the Dominant of A because E7->A on this, the Cycle of Fifths.

Hope that covers it!

Simon

 

[Pete Thomas]

It's not just A of course, the dominant of every key is the on the fifth degree.

 

[Simon]

... hence the link to the Cycle of Filth there, Pete 😉

Pete Thomas wrote:
It's not just A of course, the dominant of every key is the on the fifth degree.

 

[Chris98]

Hi Simon & Pete,

Digging out some manuscript paper and writing out A major and the dominant 7th in A (there must be and abbreviation for that) and seeing the relationship helped as well. A bit of understanding makes memorising it or at least being able to work it out quickly a lot easier.

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[spike]

Not strictly on topic but a useful Tip:

Every sax player needs a keyboard, a steinway is better but anything will do. I used to draw one on a long piece of cardboard.
You can see the sax "keyboard" in your mind in an abstract fashion but having a piano keyboard in front of you, all the relationships are immediately visual. Helped me an awful lot when I figured maybe a bit of theory might be of use.
gruss - spike

 

[griff136]

Chris98 wrote:
Hi Simon & Pete,

Digging out some manuscript paper and writing out A major and the dominant 7th in A (there must be and abbreviation for that) and seeing the relationship helped as well. A bit of understanding makes memorising it or at least being able to work it out quickly a lot easier.

Thanks again,

Chris

Chris
E7 is the abbreviation for Dominant 7 chord in the key of A

 

[Greywolf]

E dominant 7 (E7) = E F# G# A B C# D E

Isn't this the same as E mixolydian?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Greywolf wrote:
E dominant 7 (E7) = E F# G# A B C# D E

Isn't this the same as E mixolydian?

E 7 is a chord, not a scale. The notes are E G# B and D

The notes you mention are indeed a mixolydian, but this is a scale, not a chord.

It's important to differentiate. But this can be confusing as some people teach that a certain scale goes with a certain chord (without mentioning any exceptions or alternatives.)

An E mxoloydian scale can be used with an E7, but in some cases will not sound good.

Similarly there are other scales that can be used with an E 7 cord, it all depends on context..

 

[TomMapfumo]

simon wrote:
... hence the link to the Cycle of Filth there, Pete 😉

What exactly is the "Cycle of Filth"?😛

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Mamos]

TomMapfumo wrote:

simon wrote:
... hence the link to the Cycle of Filth there, Pete 😉

What exactly is the "Cycle of Filth"?😛

Kind regards
Tom 8)

Now that's funny

Didn't understand any of the rest of the thread to be honest but I'm sure I will one day :cry:

mamos