E dominant seventh (E7) chord on piano

The E dominant seventh chord (E7) is a dominant seventh chord (a major triad plus a minor seventh), made of four notes: E – G♯ – B – D.

Root position: E4 – G♯4 – B4 – D5

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What the E7 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 E7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	D	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

E4 – G♯4 – B4 – D5

1st inversion

G♯4 – B4 – D5 – E5

2nd inversion

B4 – D5 – E5 – G♯5

3rd inversion

D5 – E5 – G♯5 – B5

Which keys is it in?

The E7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

A major: V7 (dominant)
A minor: V7 (dominant)
F♯ minor: VII7

Similar chords and substitutes

If E7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B♭7 – tritone substitute: the same third and seventh, swapped – a jazz favourite
A♭dim7 – diminished seventh on the third: a common stand-in for the dominant
E9 – a fuller dominant (with the ninth)
E7sus4 – suspended dominant, less tense
A – where it resolves (V → I)

Simpler versions

E – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

E9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
E13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E7 chord?

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

How do I play the E7 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 E7 chord written?

The chord symbol is E7, and its full name is E dominant seventh.