C7 piano chord (C dominant 7th)

C – E – G – B♭

Formula 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7

CEGB♭

C7 inversions

An inversion keeps the same notes but puts a different one at the bottom. Use them to move to the next chord with the smallest hand movement.

Root position C7

C – E – G – B♭

CEGB♭

1st inversion C7/E

E – G – B♭ – C

EGCB♭

2nd inversion C7/G

G – B♭ – C – E

GCEB♭

3rd inversion C7/B♭

B♭ – C – E – G

CEGB♭

Keys that contain C7

Other C chords

← B7 · C♯7 →

C7 chord questions

What notes are in the C dominant 7th chord?

C7 is C, E, G, B♭. Its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7, counted from the root C.

How do you play C7 on piano?

With the right hand in root position, play C–E–G–B♭ using fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb on C). With the left hand, use fingers 5, 3, 2 and 1 from the bottom.

What are the inversions of C7?

Root position: C–E–G–B♭; 1st inversion: E–G–B♭–C; 2nd inversion: G–B♭–C–E; 3rd inversion: B♭–C–E–G.

Which keys contain C7?

C7 occurs naturally in D minor (as VII7), F major (as V7).