What kind of question is that? Notes, chords and rhythms are the language of music. Are we going to limit our use of language?

This reminds me of the rules for writing product documentation for products being delivered to the military services. Elaborate software is used to evaluate the text in manuals to guarantee that the vocabulary and usage don't go beyond what can can be easily understood by someone with an eighth grade education.

Perhaps no music should be written by people whose education has exceeded the eight grade. Even then we might be in trouble. Eighth graders who have also pursued a musical education commonly play major seventh chords. They may not realize it, but they do.

I guess if all you want to play is old-time string band tunes or British music hall tunes you can get by without major seventh chords. As a good friend and professional fiddler is fond of saying: “Playing old-time music is the next thing to not being able to play.&rdequo; Of course he also enjoys playing the old-time tunes but he can also play anything else he cares to play.

Long live the major seventh chord!

      - Mark