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F7(Dominant 7th Chord)

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

Notes
F – A – C – D#
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 10
Type
7th Chord

🎹 F7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the F7 chord.

R
F(Root (R))
2
A(Major 3rd)
3
C(Perfect 5th)
4
D#(Minor 7th (♭7))

🎸 F7 on Guitar

The F7 chord uses notes F, A, C, 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 F
RootRoot (R)0F
3rdMajor 3rd4A
5thPerfect 5th7C
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10D#

About the F Dominant 7th Chord

The F7 chord (F Dominant 7th) consists of 4 notes: F, A, C, 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 F: the notes land on F, A, C, D#.

Playing F7 on Piano

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

Common Chord Progressions Using F7

  • I–IV–V: F7 – A#7 – C7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: F7 – C – Dm – A# (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: F7 – Dm – A# – C (50s progression)

The F7 Chord in Context

As a dominant 7th chord, F7 is the tonic (I) in the key of F major. It also appears as the IV chord in C major, and as the V chord in A# major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other F Chords

F
Major
Fm
Minor
Fmaj7
Major 7th
Fm7
Minor 7th
Fdim
Diminished
Faug
Augmented

Dominant 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

C7C#7D7D#7E7F7F#7G7G#7A7A#7B7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play F7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 F Scale
Notes that fit F7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using F7

FAQ

F7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the F7 chord?
The F Dominant 7th chord contains: F, A, C, D#. These notes are derived by applying the dominant 7th interval formula (0–4–7–10 semitones) to the root note F.
What is the F7 chord used for?
A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic. The F7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of F major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play F7 on piano?
On piano, play F, A, C, D# simultaneously. In root position, F is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has A lowest, second inversion has C lowest.
How many notes are in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord has 4 notes: F, A, C, D# (in F). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between F major and F minor?
The F major chord (F–A–C) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The F minor chord (F–G#–C) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does F7 belong to?
F7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of F major. It also appears as IV in the key of C major, and as V in the key of A# major.
Can I play F7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The F7 chord notes (F, A, C, 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 F7?
In the key of F major, F7 pairs naturally with A# major (IV), C major (V), and Dm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (F7–A#–C) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of F7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. F7 root position: F in bass. First inversion: A in bass. Second inversion: C 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 F7: start on F, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any dominant 7th chord.