C dominant seventh
C7 Piano Voicings
C7 is a dominant chord: the V of F major. Its flat seventh creates the tension that wants to resolve, which is why it sits in the middle of every ii-V-I progression.
Drill C7 in all 12 keysThe notes in C7
- C R
- E 3
- G 5
- Bb ♭7
C7 voicings on piano
Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.
Root Position
C · E · G · Bb R · 3 · 5 · ♭7
Shell Voicing
C · E · Bb R · 3 · ♭7
Rootless A
E · G · Bb · D 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9
Rootless B
Bb · D · E · G ♭7 · 9 · 3 · 5
Where C7 fits in a ii-V-I
C7 is a dominant chord: the V of F major. Its flat seventh creates the tension that wants to resolve, which is why it sits in the middle of every ii-V-I progression.
The fastest way to internalise C7 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.
Practice the full ii-V-I progressionC7 — frequently asked questions
What notes are in C7?
C7 contains C, E, G and B♭ — root, major third, perfect fifth and flat (minor) seventh. The flat seventh is what makes it a dominant chord.
What is the shell voicing for C7?
The C7 shell voicing is C, E, B♭ — root, third and flat seventh. The third and seventh (the guide tones) carry the dominant sound.
Why does C7 sound unresolved?
The major third (E) and flat seventh (B♭) form a tritone, an unstable interval that pulls toward resolution — typically to F major.