Piano chord
A7A dominant seventh
- A1
- C♯3
- E5
- G♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play A7 on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C♯, 4 on E, 5 on G.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C♯, 2 on E, 1 on G.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C♯ – E – G
1st inversion · C♯ – E – G – A
2nd inversion · E – G – A – C♯
3rd inversion · G – A – C♯ – E
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
A7 inversions
A7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position A is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with A7
The other chords of D major, the key where A7 is home (V7). Songs in this key move between them.
A7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C♯–E–G.
A7 on other instruments
About the A7 chord
A dominant seventh has 4 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5), G (♭7). A dominant seventh: a major triad with the flat seventh on top. It creates tension that wants to resolve, usually to the chord a fifth below.
On the keyboard, start from A and add the other notes above it: A – C♯ – E – G. From the lowest to the highest key that is 10 semitones. That is less than an octave, so A7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of A7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E–G–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–G–A–C♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is G (G–A–C♯–E).
A7 is A with one note added: G.
Keys that contain A7: D major (V7), D minor (V7), B minor (VII7).
Questions
What notes are in the A7 chord?
A7 (A dominant seventh) has 4 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5), G (♭7).
How many inversions does A7 have?
A7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (A–C♯–E–G); 1st inversion (C♯–E–G–A); 2nd inversion (E–G–A–C♯); 3rd inversion (G–A–C♯–E).
What is the difference between A7 and A?
A7 is A with one note added: G.
Can I play A7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position A7 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.