Is it b7 or 7b?

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 22 Sep 2022 1:11 pm

Say, in the key of C, (NNS) is Bb a b7 or a 7b? I've seen both. RP

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 22 Sep 2022 1:26 pm

Here in Texas....ah....ha....LOL
b7
Flat is always called out first
ie: flat3rd; flat5th; flat9....flat7

But when writing it's letter first
ie: G7; Eb; Cm7; FM7

So have fun.
Ricky

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 22 Sep 2022 4:10 pm

Thx Rick

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 26 Sep 2022 8:02 am

Missed the question…

George Biner · Post by **George Biner** » 26 Sep 2022 10:44 am

I think the OP's original issue was not about chords, it was about scale degrees (notes) -- i.e., how do you denote the flatted seventh degree of the scale? It's a good question. I think I would call it the "flatted seventh" degree. I could see others calling it the "seven flat", though. I don't think there is a standard.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 26 Sep 2022 12:47 pm

Oh>

in the key of C, (NNS) is Bb a b7 or a 7b?

Yes in key of C; Bb is indeed the Flat7 note/chord and B is the Major7, BM7
Ricky

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 8 Oct 2022 3:55 pm

Yes George. You got what I meant. And of course, so did

Rick

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 9 Oct 2022 8:49 am

Out here we usually just call it a 7, without bothering with the flat designation.
A true 7 chord is a diminished, and in actuality serves as a kind of leading tone 5 moving to 1 (and most likely there would be a 5 in the bass somewhere along the line).
Since that sort of technical nomenclature is almost never used on the bandstand, it's just referred to as a 7. Pretty much common knowledge that you would be referring to a major triad one whole step below the 1.

At least, that's been my experience.

And, I now realize that you were asking about how to write it in tab or on a chart...so I'll say b7...