Sevenths can be major, minor, augmented or diminished. Below you can that the number of steps determines the quality of the interval:

Major seventh, 5 1/2 whole steps or 11 half steps:

Minor seventh, 5 whole steps or 10 half steps:

Augmented seventh, 6 whole steps or 12 half steps:

Diminished seventh, 4 1/2 whole steps or 9 half steps:

Identifying sevenths

The easiest way to identify the quality of a seventh is by inverting the interval and identifying the resulting second. For example, the interval C-B:

• The inversion is B-C.
• We identify the resulting second.
• B-C is a minor 2^nd so C-B is a major 7^th.

The inversion of a major 7^th results in a minor 2^nd

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