Piano chord · Sevenths
C dominant 7th chord on piano
Right hand: C (1), E (2), G (3), B♭ (5)
How to play C7 on piano: the keys to press, which fingers to use, inversions and how it’s written on the staff.
Bluesy tension that pulls strongly toward the chord a 5th below.
C7 is the V7 chord in F major. In minor keys: V7 in F minor.
- Notes
- CEGB♭
- Formula
- 135♭7
- Built from
- root · major 3rd · perfect 5th · minor 7th
Piano
Root position · numbers are finger numbers
How to play it
Right handC1 · thumbE2 · indexG3 · middleB♭5 · pinky
Left handC5 · pinkythe root, an octave lower
Finger numbers: 1 thumb · 2 index · 3 middle · 4 ring · 5 pinky. Inversions use the same notes with a different one on the bottom — they help you move smoothly between chords. Tap any key to hear it.
Tips for playing C7 on piano
C, E, G, B♭ — the one black key is the B♭ on top.
You’ll find C7 in common progressions such as C7–F7–G7 (the 12-bar blues in C major) and Gm7–C7–Fmaj7 (the jazz cadence in F major).
Learning piano? C7 is part of stage 6 (“C7, F7 and G7”) of our first piano chords path.
