1
Root
Harmonic anchor.
Dominant 7 chords guitar
Understand the chord that drives functional harmony forward.
The dominant 7 chord combines a major triad with a minor seventh. Its 3rd and b7 create strong tension and clear resolution tendencies.
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Formula
Build dominant 7 as 1–3–5–b7.
The quality is defined by the major third and minor seventh.
3
Major third
Creates major quality and dominant guide tone.
5
Perfect fifth
Often optional in compact voicings.
b7
Minor seventh
The other key guide tone.
Resolution
Hear the guide-tone pull.
In V7 → I, the 3rd and b7 usually resolve by small intervals.
3rd of V
Leading tone
Often rises to the tonic.
b7 of V
Resolution tone
Often falls by step to the 3rd of I.
Root motion
Fifth relation
V root moves strongly toward I.
Extensions
Add color after the function is clear.
9ths, 13ths and altered tensions can all sit on top of a dominant shell.
9
Common color
Works in many dominant contexts.
13
Bright dominant extension
Often paired with 9.
b9 / #9 / b13
Altered tension
Useful when stronger dominant tension is desired.
FAQ
Quick answers about dominant 7 chord guitar.
Use these answers as a reference, then explore the relationships interactively.
What makes a chord dominant 7?
A dominant 7 chord has the formula 1–3–5–b7.
Why does V7 resolve strongly to I?
Its guide tones contain stepwise tendencies that lead into stable tones of the tonic chord.
Can dominant 7 chords be used in blues without resolving like V7?
Yes. Blues often treats dominant 7 quality as a stable color on I, IV and V rather than only as classical dominant function.
ChordRevelation
Move from explanation to interactive harmony.
Change the key, compare voicings, follow voice leading and see the same idea directly on the fretboard.