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.
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.
Dominant 7th Chord in All 18 Keys
Select any key to see notes, inversions, fingering, and practice tips.
C Dominant 7th Chord
C# Dominant 7th Chord
Db Dominant 7th Chord
D Dominant 7th Chord
D# Dominant 7th Chord
Eb Dominant 7th Chord
E Dominant 7th Chord
F Dominant 7th Chord
F# Dominant 7th Chord
Gb Dominant 7th Chord
G Dominant 7th Chord
G# Dominant 7th Chord
Ab Dominant 7th Chord
A Dominant 7th Chord
A# Dominant 7th Chord
Bb Dominant 7th Chord
B Dominant 7th Chord
Cb Dominant 7th Chord