Chords reference
Dominant Seventh Chord
A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord containing a major triad and a minor seventh above its root.
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C Dominant 7 Chord
- Theory
- Chord
- Written root
- C
- Instrument
- 6-string Guitar
- Tuning
- E Standard
- Labels
- Notes
- Handedness
- Right handed
| String, low to high | Fret | Current label | Note | Degree | Interval | Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 1 | 3 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 1 | 6 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 1 | 8 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 1 | 12 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 1 | 15 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 1 | 18 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 1 | 20 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 1 | 24 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 1 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 2 | 3 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 2 | 7 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 10 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 2 | 13 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 2 | 15 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 2 | 19 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 2 | 22 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 2 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 3 | 5 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 8 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 3 | 10 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 3 | 14 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 3 | 17 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 3 | 20 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 3 | 22 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 0 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 4 | 3 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 4 | 5 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 9 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 4 | 12 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 4 | 15 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 4 | 17 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 4 | 21 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 4 | 24 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 5 | 1 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 5 | 5 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 5 | 8 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 5 | 11 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 5 | 13 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 5 | 17 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 5 | 20 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 5 | 23 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 6 | 0 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 6 | 3 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 6 | 6 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 6 | 8 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 6 | 12 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
| 6 | 15 | G | G | 5 | 5 | No |
| 6 | 18 | Bb | Bb | 7 | b7 | No |
| 6 | 20 | C | C | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| 6 | 24 | E | E | 3 | 3 | No |
Overview
The dominant seventh is closely associated with dominant function, where it commonly resolves toward a tonic a fifth below its root. The same chord quality also appears in blues, modal, and non-functional settings.
Construction
The authoritative definition combines a major triad with a minor seventh. Its major third and minor seventh form a tritone whose two notes often move by semitone when the chord resolves in tonal harmony.
Characteristics
The chord combines the clarity of major quality with the tension of a minor seventh and internal tritone. Context determines whether that tension creates directed resolution, modal colour, or a stable blues sonority.
Applications
Dominant seventh chords support cadences, secondary dominants, blues harmony, modal vamps, arpeggio study, and voice-leading practice. Tracking the third and seventh often reveals the chord's harmonic direction most clearly.