C seventh piano chord (C7)
The seventh chord (dominant seventh) adds a minor seventh to the major chord. It creates tension that wants to resolve: essential in blues, jazz and rock’n’roll.
On the keyboard
Root position
- Notes
- C – E – G – B♭
- Fingering (right hand)
- 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
1st inversion
- Notes
- E – G – B♭ – C
- Fingering (right hand)
- 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
2nd inversion
- Notes
- G – B♭ – C – E
- Fingering (right hand)
- 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
3rd inversion
- Notes
- B♭ – C – E – G
- Fingering (right hand)
- 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
Chord notes
| Note | Interval |
|---|---|
| C | root |
| E | major third |
| G | perfect fifth |
| B♭ (B flat) | minor seventh |
Formula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 · C – E – G – B♭
A progression with this chord
The ii – V – I: the seventh chord (V7) builds tension that resolves to the tonic chord (I).