C7 chord on piano
C7 · Cdom7 — the chord on the fifth step of a key: it pulls strongly home, and it is the sound of the blues.
| Notes | C – E – G – B♭ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 |
| Symbols | C7, Cdom7 |
| Fingering (root position) | Right hand 1 2 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 2 1 |
How to play C7 on the piano
Start on C (middle C is a good place). Add E, G, B♭. With the right hand use fingers 1 2 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 2 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.
Inversions
The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays C7. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.
Root position
C – E – G – B♭ · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
1st inversion
E – G – B♭ – C · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
2nd inversion
G – B♭ – C – E · RH 1 2 4 5 · LH 5 3 2 1
3rd inversion
B♭ – C – E – G · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 4 2 1
Which keys use C7
In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:
Other C chords
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