The C7 (C dominant 7) chord contains the notes C, E, G and Bb. It is produced by taking the root (1), 3, 5 and b7 of the C Major scale. It is essentially a C chord, with an added flat 7.
The C7 chord is commonly played in the first fret (see the first shape below). The shape itself is also commonly moved up and down the fretboard (but without the open 1st string), as a moveable dominant 7 chord.
C7 is short for C dominant 7. The dominant 7 chord is a significant chord, because it plays a very important function in any given key.
The dominant 7 chord functions as a chord that resolves to the first chord in a key. For example, the C dominant 7 chord resolves to the F Major chord (which is the first chord in the key of F)
10 Ways To Play The C7 Chord
If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for C7, here they are.
Some Quick C7 Chord Theory
- The C7 chord contains the notes C, E, G and Bb.
- C7 is short for C dominant 7.
- The C7 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 3, 5 and b7 of the C Major scale.
- The C7 is the fifth chord in the key of F. It resolves naturally to the F Major chord.
- The C7 chord (just like all dominant 7 chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): major 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tone (which leads back to the root note).
- The C mixolydian mode can be used when soloing over the C dominant 7 chord.
Further Reading
