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G7(Dominant 7th Chord)

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

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

🎹 G7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the G7 chord.

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

🎸 G7 on Guitar

The G7 chord uses notes G, B, D, F. 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 G
RootRoot (R)0G
3rdMajor 3rd4B
5thPerfect 5th7D
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10F

About the G Dominant 7th Chord

The G7 chord (G Dominant 7th) consists of 4 notes: G, B, D, F. 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 G: the notes land on G, B, D, F.

Playing G7 on Piano

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

Common Chord Progressions Using G7

  • I–IV–V: G7 – C7 – D7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: G7 – D – Em – C (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: G7 – Em – C – D (50s progression)

The G7 Chord in Context

As a dominant 7th chord, G7 is the tonic (I) in the key of G major. It also appears as the IV chord in D major, and as the V chord in C major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other G Chords

G
Major
Gm
Minor
Gmaj7
Major 7th
Gm7
Minor 7th
Gdim
Diminished
Gaug
Augmented

Dominant 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

C7C#7D7D#7E7F7F#7G7G#7A7A#7B7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play G7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 G Scale
Notes that fit G7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using G7

FAQ

G7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the G7 chord?
The G Dominant 7th chord contains: G, B, D, F. These notes are derived by applying the dominant 7th interval formula (0–4–7–10 semitones) to the root note G.
What is the G7 chord used for?
A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic. The G7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of G major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play G7 on piano?
On piano, play G, B, D, F simultaneously. In root position, G is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has B lowest, second inversion has D lowest.
How many notes are in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord has 4 notes: G, B, D, F (in G). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between G major and G minor?
The G major chord (G–B–D) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The G minor chord (G–A#–D) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does G7 belong to?
G7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of G major. It also appears as IV in the key of D major, and as V in the key of C major.
Can I play G7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The G7 chord notes (G, B, D, F) 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 G7?
In the key of G major, G7 pairs naturally with C major (IV), D major (V), and Em (vi). The classic I–IV–V (G7–C–D) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of G7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. G7 root position: G in bass. First inversion: B in bass. Second inversion: D 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 G7: start on G, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any dominant 7th chord.