Dominant seventh chord: formula, notes and sound
A dominant 7th chord is a major triad plus a minor seventh (0-4-7-10). Hear its pull toward home, see it on every root and learn the V7-I move.
A dominant seventh chord is a major triad plus a minor seventh: root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh (0, 4, 7, 10 semitones). C7 is C, E, G and B flat. Its third and seventh form a tritone, which makes it pull strongly toward the chord a fifth below (G7 to C).
Listen to C7
C E G B♭
What is the formula of a dominant 7th chord?
| Chord tone | Interval from the root | Semitones | In C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | root | 0 | C |
| Third | major third | 4 | E |
| Fifth | perfect fifth | 7 | G |
| Seventh | minor seventh | 10 | B♭ |
Formula: 0-4-7-10 semitones. Written C7.
What does a dominant 7th chord sound like?
Bluesy and restless, strongly pulling to resolve. It is the backbone of the blues, where every chord can be a dominant seventh.
How to recognise it by ear
- Major chord with a bluesy edge on top: think dominant seventh.
- It occurs naturally on the 5th degree of a major key (G7 in C), hence the name dominant.
- Major seventh sounds dreamy and settled; dominant seventh sounds like it must move.
Quick test: is it a dominant 7th chord?
Four chords on different roots. Each is a dominant 7th chord or a chord it is often confused with.
Score: / 4 (your score updates as you answer)
Dominant 7th chords on all 12 roots
Spelled by letter from the formula, so thirds are always a letter apart (E♭, not D♯, in C minor).
| Chord | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C7 | C E G B♭ | |
| D♭7 | D♭ F A♭ C♭ | |
| D7 | D F♯ A C | |
| E♭7 | E♭ G B♭ D♭ | |
| E7 | E G♯ B D | |
| F7 | F A C E♭ | |
| F♯7 | F♯ A♯ C♯ E | |
| G7 | G B D F | |
| A♭7 | A♭ C E♭ G♭ | |
| A7 | A C♯ E G | |
| B♭7 | B♭ D F A♭ | |
| B7 | B D♯ F♯ A |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a dominant seventh chord?
1, 3, 5, flat 7. C7 is C E G B flat, G7 is G B D F, D7 is D F sharp A C.
Why is it called dominant?
Because in a major key it is built on the fifth degree, the dominant. G7 is the dominant seventh of C major.
What is the difference between C7 and Cmaj7?
The seventh. C7 has B flat (minor seventh, 10 semitones), Cmaj7 has B natural (major seventh, 11 semitones). C7 sounds bluesy and unresolved, Cmaj7 soft and settled.
Where does a dominant seventh resolve?
Usually to the chord a perfect fifth below (or a fourth above): G7 to C. The tritone B–F closes in to C–E.