E7 chord
The E dominant seventh chord, written E7, has 4 notes: E, G♯, B and D. They are the root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh above E (chord formula 1 3 5 ♭7).
- NotesE G♯ B D
- Chord symbolE7, Edom7
- Formula1 3 5 ♭7
- Half steps4 + 3 + 3
E7 chord on the piano
Play E, G♯, B and D together. In root position E is at the bottom; the next note is 4 half steps higher, and the one after that 3 half steps above it. Press Play to hear the notes one at a time and then together.
E7 chord on the staff, with inversions
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts a different one at the bottom. The chord symbol after a slash names the bass note.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | E G♯ B D | E7 |
| First inversion | G♯ B D E | E7/G♯ |
| Second inversion | B D E G♯ | E7/B |
| Third inversion | D E G♯ B | E7/D |
E7 chord on guitar
Each diagram shows the six strings from the low E on the left to the high E on the right. A dot is a fretted note, o is an open string, × is a string you do not play, and a bar across the strings is a barre held with one finger.
What is a dominant seventh chord?
A dominant seventh chord has four notes: a root, a major third, a perfect fifth and a minor seventh (10 half steps above the root). It is a major chord with a lowered seventh added on top.
Bluesy, warm and restless. The chord sounds unfinished, as if it wants to move on to another chord. That pull comes from the tritone between the third and the seventh.
Where you hear dominant seventh chords
It is the V7 chord in a major key, which leads strongly back to the I chord. In the blues, the I, IV and V chords are all played as dominant sevenths. It is also common in jazz, gospel, country and early rock and roll.
Tip: Start from the major chord and add the note one whole step below the root's octave. Listen to how the new note makes the chord lean forward.
Ways this chord type is written (shown for C): C7, Cdom7.
Which keys have the E7 chord?
E7 is built only from notes of these keys, so it appears in them naturally. The Roman numeral is its place in the key.
Check yourself
1. Which note is the third of the E7 chord?
Answer: G♯. E7 is built root, third, fifth (and more): E, G♯, B and D. The second note, G♯, is the third.
2. What is the bass note of E7/G♯?
Answer: G♯. A slash chord names its bass note after the slash. E7/G♯ is the first inversion, with G♯ at the bottom.
3. How many half steps are there from E up to G♯ in this chord?
Answer: 4. E to G♯ is a major third, which is 4 half steps.
Other E chords
Dominant Seventh chords in every key
See also: piano chord chart, chord inversions, chord progressions.