C7

C7

A C7 chord on the guitar The C7 chord is a commonly used chord in music theory and is often found in various genres such as blues, jazz, and rock. It is a dominant seventh chord, which means it consists of a major triad (C-E-G) with an added minor seventh (B♭). The C7 chord is denoted by the symbol "C7" or sometimes "Cdom7".

Structure

The C7 chord is built by taking the root note C and adding the major third (E), perfect fifth (G), and minor seventh (B♭). The chord can be played in various positions on the guitar, piano, or any other instrument capable of playing chords. In the standard tuning of a guitar, a common voicing for the C7 chord is x32310, where the numbers represent the frets being pressed down on the corresponding strings.

Usage

The C7 chord is often used as a dominant chord in the key of F major. In this context, it creates tension and leads to the F major chord, providing a sense of resolution. It is also frequently used in the blues genre, where it adds a bluesy and soulful sound to progressions. Additionally, the C7 chord can be substituted for other dominant chords in various musical contexts, allowing for harmonic variation and creativity.

Variations

There are several variations of the C7 chord that can be used to add different flavors to musical compositions. Some common variations include:

• C7sus4: This variation replaces the major third (E) with a perfect fourth (F), resulting in the notes C-F-G-B♭. It creates a suspended sound and can be used to add tension and release in chord progressions.
• C7#9: This variation adds a sharp ninth (D♯) to the C7 chord, resulting in the notes C-E-G-B♭-D♯. It is commonly used in jazz and blues to add a dissonant and colorful sound.
• C7b9: This variation adds a flat ninth (D♭) to the C7 chord, resulting in the notes C-E-G-B♭-D♭. It creates a darker and more tense sound and is often used in jazz improvisation.

See Also

• Chord (music)
• Blues music
• Jazz music