Usage of 7th Shell

1. Characteristics of the 7th Shell

Unlike 1, 3, and 5, the 7^th creates a “murkiness” and it’s a perfect element to convey a mature atmosphere or a sense of melancholy. While it works alongside 3^rd, it has a bit less versatile range of applications due to its disonnance, when compared to 3^rd.

Intervalic Structure

One thing to be noted first: This is further explained in Chord Chapter.II, but prime chords have two different types of 7^th, whether 11 semitones or 10 semitones away from root.

This is exactly the same as what happens in 3^rd—Some are 4 semitones away while the others are 3, creating major/minor quality differences.

When you form 7^th shell on I or IV, it will be 11 semitones away, while all the others are 10. In a practical sense you hardly have to care of this difference since both are quite similar in its disonance, but it’s noteworthy that 11 semitones has even more muddy and chic sound, which is super-useful in creating a mellow mood.

Be Cautious with V

Certainly, the influence of the kernel is always present. For example, in the case of IV and II_m, 7^th shells can well be used without any care. However, when it comes to V, the 7^th shell is fa, introducing a great instability that requires careful selection of when to use it.

Fa on V functions as a strong heart-stirring effect, so it should be used with care. Thus 7th shell sometimes is like a “double-edged sword,” but possesses a unique beauty and is highly usable, especially on IV and I.

2. Examples of 7th Shell

Let’s now take a look at examples of the actual use of this in songs.

The Flaming Lips – Race For The Prize

This is a typical example that vividly illustrates the effectiveness of the 7^th shell. In the intro, the chord progression moves gently, repeating a descending 2nd nexus: IVIII_mII_mI. Over this progression, the melodic outline of the Mellotron strings moves like mi–re–do–ti, forming a 7^th shell in every chord.
The mellow mood created by the previously mentioned 11 semitones, combined with the retro sound of the Mellotron, and accompanied by the disruptive sound of the drums, brings forth this chaotic, fantastical world.

Billy Joel – Honesty

In the chorus introduction of “Honesty,” where the title “honesty” is sung, the melody uses the 7th shell of mi–fa over the IVV chords. This example showcases the use of the strong tendency tone fa over the V chord. As previously cautioned, this should be used with care. In this scene, the instability of fa works perfectly as a hook to evoke strong emotional resonance.

Also, take note that fa does not resolve to mi or so at this point. Analyzing from the “vertical view,” a key aspect in Chapter II, in this scenario forming the 7^th shell, fa does not specifically necessitate movement to the neighboring tones. This maintains the tension created by fa while progressing to the subsequent quality-changed III chord, the next climax, making the music even more emotional.

Combine 7th with 3rd

3rd shell emphasizes the basic color of major/minor, and 7th shell adds the more complex character. So combining these two

Piazzolla – Oblivion

It’s a piece by Astor Piazzolla, an Argentine composer from the 20th century. I’d like you to listen from the beginning, but anyway, what we discuss is the climax part starting at 1:36. A melody unfolds with an incredible emotion that stirs the depths of the soul. You’d want to say “The beauty of the song is beyond words!”, but there are words to explain it, after all.

As shown in the score above, the sustained notes all neatly form 7^th shells. Additionally, the beginning of the bars is almost consistently 3^rd. The shell arrangement is extremely logical, yet the melody line carries a passionate atmosphere as if it’s made just as it should be, without any trace of artifice.

The use of consistent shell, as in the example of “Fly Me to the Moon” with the 3^rd shell, makes it easy for the listener’s ear to grasp, understand, and remember. Ultimately, it becomes a memorable melody that lingers in the heart.

This piece is a magnificent creation with an utterly beautiful flow throughout. Examining the sheet music may make you feel like you can easily make marvelous melodies by just using 3^rd and 7^th shells, but it’s not just that. It’s the perfect fusion of many elements such as ascending/descending, leaps/steps, whole tones/semitones, resolutions/suspensions, along with the rhythm, that together create this spectacular melody. It’s a culmination of knowledge, experience, and sensibility.

3. Approach to Shells

Now, we’ve covered the characteristics of Rt, 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th shells! This concept of “shells” is a decisive element in creating melodies. Just by looking at the examples of songs so far, you might have seen how the mastery of shell structuring makes melodies more attractive. This skill is also one of the aspects that has been commonly labeled as “sense” or “talent” in general.

However, this does not mean that one can create good music purely through theory without any sense of musicality. As the concept of shell revolves around the theory of expressing how one wants to convey sounds, there is no definite “correct” choices, and intuitive judgment is also essential. However, you can definitely improve your musical sense by understanding these concepts and getting data through the analysis of existing songs. I mean, what is commonly believed to be natural talent can actually be nurtured through effort!😊

For those finding it challenging to compose a melody while considering the structure of the shell, starting with the accompaniment may be helpful. If you want to create an emotionally rich accompaniment, it’s advisable to focus on 3^rd and 7^th. On the other hand, if seeking a simpler and more straightforward sound, focusing on Rt and 5^th would be more effective.
Becoming familiar with these intervals and harmonic sense will undoubtedly positively influence the sense of melody composition. And through practice you’ll gradually develop an intuition about which shells are suitable for expressing the desired musical ideas.

Summary

• 7th shells add depth to the sound, often linked to “maturity” or “mellowness”.
• Using 7th shells on V creates an highly unstable sound, so choosing when to use it is crucial.
• Selecting the most suitable shell based on the content of expression, while ensuring the movement of kernels and motifs remains natural and appealing, is a key indicator of a good melody.

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