E dominant seventh chord (E7)
The E dominant seventh chord (E7) is a dominant seventh chord: a major triad with a minor seventh on top, E, G♯, B and D (root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh).
It is the V7 in A major and the V7 in A minor, and it wants to resolve to A major, a perfect fourth higher.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play E dominant seventh on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 0-2-0-1-0-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-2-0-1-0-0).
- Voicing 2: 12-14-12-13-12-12, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 12, with E in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-7-9-7-9-7, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 7, with E in the bass.
Notes of the E dominant seventh chord on the fretboard
E dominant seventh has 4 notes: E, G♯, B and D. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · B (7) · D (10) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · E (7) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · E (2) · G♯ (6) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · B (4) · D (7) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · E (5) · G♯ (9) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · B (7) · D (10) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of E dominant seventh
Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7-10.
- E: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above E
- B: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above E
- D: Minor seventh (m7), 10 semitones above E
E dominant seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-2-0-2; it sounds G♯, D, E and B.
E dominant seventh on piano
- Keys: E4, G♯4, B4 and D5.
Inversions of E dominant seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E, G♯, B and D, with E in the bass.
- First inversion (E7/G♯): G♯, B, D and E, with G♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (E7/B): B, D, E and G♯, with B in the bass.
- Third inversion (E7/D): D, E, G♯ and B, with D in the bass.
Keys that use E dominant seventh
E dominant seventh appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| A major (3 sharps) | V7 | Dominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | VII7 | Subtonic |
| A minor (harmonic minor, no sharps or flats) | V7 | Dominant |
Progressions with E dominant seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in A major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7
- 12-bar blues in A major (I7–IV7–V7): A7 – D7 – E7
- Minor cadence in A minor (i–iv–V7): Am – Dm – E7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E dominant seventh chord?
E, G♯, B and D: root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh. Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7.
Which keys use E dominant seventh?
Mainly as the V7 in A major and the V7 in A minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
What chord does E dominant seventh resolve to?
As a dominant seventh, E dominant seventh (E, G♯, B and D) resolves naturally to A major: its third rises a half step to the new tonic and its seventh falls to the third of the next chord.