G dominant seventh chord (G7)
The G dominant seventh chord (G7) is a dominant seventh chord: a major triad with a minor seventh on top, G, B, D and F (root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh).
It is the V7 in C major and the V7 in C minor, and it wants to resolve to C major, a perfect fourth higher.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G 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: 3-2-0-0-0-1, open position, with G in the bass (fingers 3-2-0-0-0-1).
- Voicing 2: 3-5-3-4-3-3, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 3, with G in the bass.
- Voicing 3: x-10-12-10-12-10, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 10, with G in the bass.
Notes of the G dominant seventh chord on the fretboard
G dominant seventh has 4 notes: G, B, D and F. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · F (8) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · F (3) · G (5) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B (4) · D (7) · F (10) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · F (6) · G (8) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · G (3) · B (7) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of G dominant seventh
Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7-10.
- G: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above G
- D: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above G
- F: Minor seventh (m7), 10 semitones above G
G dominant seventh on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-2-1-2; it sounds G, D, F and B.
G dominant seventh on piano
- Keys: G4, B4, D5 and F5.
Inversions of G dominant seventh
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G, B, D and F, with G in the bass.
- First inversion (G7/B): B, D, F and G, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (G7/D): D, F, G and B, with D in the bass.
- Third inversion (G7/F): F, G, B and D, with F in the bass.
Keys that use G dominant seventh
G dominant seventh appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| C major (no sharps or flats) | V7 | Dominant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | VII7 | Subtonic |
| C minor (harmonic minor, 3 flats) | V7 | Dominant |
Progressions with G dominant seventh
- Jazz ii–V–I in C major (ii7–V7–Imaj7): Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
- 12-bar blues in C major (I7–IV7–V7): C7 – F7 – G7
- Minor cadence in C minor (i–iv–V7): Cm – Fm – G7
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G dominant seventh chord?
G, B, D and F: root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh. Its formula is 1-3-5-♭7.
Which keys use G dominant seventh?
Mainly as the V7 in C major and the V7 in C minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
What chord does G dominant seventh resolve to?
As a dominant seventh, G dominant seventh (G, B, D and F) resolves naturally to C major: its third rises a half step to the new tonic and its seventh falls to the third of the next chord.