How to recognise different types of 7th chord

Summary

dominant 7th chord = major triad + minor 7th

• Example: G⁷ = G-B-D-F

minor 7th chord = minor triad + minor 7th (the minor is referring to the triad)

• Example: Gm⁷ = G-Bb-D-F

major 7th chord = major triad + major 7th (the major is referring to the 7th)

• Example: G^maj7 = G-B-D-F#

So in a minor 7th chord the triad and the 7th are both minor, and in a major 7th chord the triad and the 7th are both major.

There are other types of 7th chord, such as the diminished and half-diminished 7th chord, but the above three are by far and away the most common ones in popular music.

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