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Chord type

Dominant 7th Chords on Piano

The dominant 7th chord is the most important extended chord in music — a major triad with an added minor seventh that creates tension demanding resolution. It is the engine of blues, jazz, rock, and classical harmony.

Each key below opens the full reference entry — keyboard diagram, audio, inversions, fingerings, and notation.

Formula: Root – Major 3rd – Perfect 5th – Minor 7th
Intervals: 4 + 3 + 3 semitones (from root)
Scale degrees: 1–3–5–♭7
Sound: Tense, bluesy, driving, wants to resolve
Symbol: Number 7 after the letter (C7, D7, G7 etc.)
Why dominant 7ths matter: The dominant 7th chord contains a tritone (between the 3rd and ♭7th) that creates instability. This tension naturally resolves down a fifth to the tonic — the V7–I resolution is the most fundamental harmonic movement in music. In blues, every chord is a dominant 7th. In jazz, dominant 7ths drive ii–V–I progressions.

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All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.

Dominant 7th Chord in All 18 Keys

Select any key to see notes, inversions, fingering, and practice tips.