C Dominant 7th
Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.
C
E
G
B♭
C7
C – E – G – B♭
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7
Introduction
The C Dominant 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of C, E, G, and B♭. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Notes
C Dominant 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C – E – G – B♭ |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – B♭ – C |
| 2nd Inversion | G – B♭ – C – E |
| 3rd Inversion | C – E – G – B♭ |
Key Signature
The key of C Dominant 7th has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.
Chords in the Key of C Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7
The C Dominant 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
C Dominant 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Dominant 7th chord?
The C Dominant 7th chord (C7) contains four notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), and Bb (minor seventh). The combination of a major triad with a minor seventh creates the characteristic bluesy tension of the dominant 7th sound.
How does C Dominant 7th differ from C Major?
C Major contains just three notes: C, E, G. C Dominant 7th adds a Bb (minor seventh) on top. That single added note transforms a stable, resolved chord into one that urgently wants to move — typically resolving down a fifth to F Major.
What does 'dominant' mean in music theory?
'Dominant' refers to the fifth scale degree. The dominant 7th chord is built on the fifth note of a key and contains a tritone (the interval between the third and seventh) that creates strong pull toward resolution. C7 is the dominant chord in the key of F Major.
How is C Dominant 7th used in music?
C7 most commonly resolves to F Major in a V7–I cadence — the strongest harmonic resolution in Western music. It also appears as a standalone colour chord in blues (every chord in a 12-bar blues is typically a dominant 7th), funk, and jazz comping.
What songs use dominant 7th chords?
Dominant 7th chords are the backbone of blues and early rock: every chord in a standard 12-bar blues is a dominant 7th. Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles), Ain't Misbehavin' (Fats Waller), and countless jazz standards rely on dominant 7th movement for their harmonic drive.
What is the tritone in C Dominant 7th?
The tritone in C7 is the interval between E (the third) and Bb (the seventh) — exactly 6 semitones apart. This is the most unstable interval in Western music and is what gives dominant 7th chords their strong pull toward resolution. The E wants to resolve up to F and the Bb wants to resolve down to A.
Practice Tips
- Play C Major then add Bb with your pinky — hear how one note transforms a stable chord into one that wants to move.
- The tritone between E and Bb is the engine of C7. Play just those two notes together, then resolve: E moves up to F, Bb moves down to A. This is the V7–I voice leading.
- Practice the most important resolution in music: C7 → F Major. Play it in root position, then try smooth voice leading where each note moves the minimum distance.
- In a 12-bar blues in F, C7 is the V chord. Practice the full blues: F7–F7–F7–F7–Bb7–Bb7–F7–F7–C7–Bb7–F7–C7.
- Compare C7 (major third + minor seventh) with Cm7 (minor third + minor seventh) — the major third in C7 gives it brightness and forward drive that Cm7 lacks.
- Try C7 with different voicings: root position, then drop the root and play just E–G–Bb (a rootless voicing used constantly in jazz piano).
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.