transpose.siteC7 chord (C dominant seventh)
The C7 chord is a dominant seventh chord built on C. A major chord plus a minor seventh. The tritone between the third and the seventh creates tension that wants to resolve to the chord a fourth higher.
C7 guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 6th string (fret 8)
Barre, root on 5th string (fret 3)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 1 + B7 shape
- Capo on fret 3 + A7 shape
- Capo on fret 5 + G7 shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
C7 chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | 3 (major 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) | ♭7 (minor 7th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | E | G | B♭ |
C7 piano chord
On piano, press these 4 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, C.
C7 usually resolves to F, a fourth higher.
Keys that use C7
- F major: V7
- D minor: VII7
Progressions in F major
- F – C7 – Dm – B♭ (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- F – Dm – B♭ – C7 (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing C7
One half step up, C7 becomes C♯7; one half step down, B7. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.