C7 chord: dominant seventh
C7 is the dominant seventh chord on C: C, E, G and Bb (1–3–5–b7). C7 stacks the root C, the major third E, the perfect fifth G and the minor seventh Bb.
Notes in C7: C – E – G – BbFormula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
C7 combines the C major triad with the minor seventh, Bb. The third, E, and the seventh, Bb, form a characteristic tritone. When it works as a dominant, C7 tends to resolve to F major (F) or F minor (Fm), depending on the harmonic context.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it
Dominant, blues and any point of strong resolution.
See C7 voicings on the fretboard →See C7 voicings on the fretboard →See C7 voicings on the fretboard →See C7 voicings on the fretboard →
Part of the Sevenths family.