C dominant seventh (C7) chord on piano

Dominant seventh chord (a major triad plus a minor seventh) on C: the notes of the C7 chord are C – E – G – B♭.

Root position: C4 – E4 – G4 – B♭4

What the C7 chord sounds like

The dominant seventh sounds tense and wants to move on: the third and the minor seventh form a tritone that pulls towards the tonic. It is also the basic chord of the blues and early rock'n'roll.

Notes of the C7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C	root
3	E	major third (4 semitones)
5	G	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	B♭	minor seventh (10 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

C4 – E4 – G4 – B♭4

1st inversion

E4 – G4 – B♭4 – C5

2nd inversion

G4 – B♭4 – C5 – E5

3rd inversion

B♭4 – C5 – E5 – G5

Which keys is it in?

The C7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F major: V7 (dominant)
F minor: V7 (dominant)
D minor: VII7

Similar chords and substitutes

If C7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯7 – tritone substitute: the same third and seventh, swapped – a jazz favourite
Edim7 – diminished seventh on the third: a common stand-in for the dominant
C9 – a fuller dominant (with the ninth)
C7sus4 – suspended dominant, less tense
F – where it resolves (V → I)

Simpler versions

C – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

C9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
C13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C7 chord?

C, E, G, B♭. The root is C; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh.

How do I play the C7 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the C7 chord written?

The chord symbol is C7, and its full name is C dominant seventh.