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E7(Dominant 7th Chord)

A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

Notes
E – G# – B – D
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 10
Type
7th Chord

🎹 E7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the E7 chord.

R
E(Root (R))
2
G#(Major 3rd)
3
B(Perfect 5th)
4
D(Minor 7th (♭7))

🎸 E7 on Guitar

The E7 chord uses notes E, G#, B, D. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in E
RootRoot (R)0E
3rdMajor 3rd4G#
5thPerfect 5th7B
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10D

About the E Dominant 7th Chord

The E7 chord (E Dominant 7th) consists of 4 notes: E, G#, B, D. A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

To build any dominant 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 10 semitones above the root. Starting from E: the notes land on E, G#, B, D.

Playing E7 on Piano

Press E, G#, B, D simultaneously. In root position, E is lowest. First inversion places G# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses B as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using E7

  • I–IV–V: E7 – A7 – B7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: E7 – B – C#m – A (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: E7 – C#m – A – B (50s progression)

The E7 Chord in Context

As a dominant 7th chord, E7 is the tonic (I) in the key of E major. It also appears as the IV chord in B major, and as the V chord in A major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other E Chords

E
Major
Em
Minor
Emaj7
Major 7th
Em7
Minor 7th
Edim
Diminished
Eaug
Augmented

Dominant 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

C7C#7D7D#7E7F7F#7G7G#7A7A#7B7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play E7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 E Scale
Notes that fit E7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using E7

FAQ

E7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the E7 chord?
The E Dominant 7th chord contains: E, G#, B, D. These notes are derived by applying the dominant 7th interval formula (0–4–7–10 semitones) to the root note E.
What is the E7 chord used for?
A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic. The E7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of E major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play E7 on piano?
On piano, play E, G#, B, D simultaneously. In root position, E is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has G# lowest, second inversion has B lowest.
How many notes are in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord has 4 notes: E, G#, B, D (in E). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between E major and E minor?
The E major chord (E–G#–B) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The E minor chord (E–G–B) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does E7 belong to?
E7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of E major. It also appears as IV in the key of B major, and as V in the key of A major.
Can I play E7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The E7 chord notes (E, G#, B, D) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with E7?
In the key of E major, E7 pairs naturally with A major (IV), B major (V), and C#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (E7–A–B) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of E7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. E7 root position: E in bass. First inversion: G# in bass. Second inversion: B in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a dominant 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–10 semitones from root. For E7: start on E, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any dominant 7th chord.