Piano chord
E7E dominant seventh
- E1
- G♯3
- B5
- D♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-4-5
How to play E7 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on G♯, 4 on B, 5 on D.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G♯, 2 on B, 1 on D.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G♯ – B – D
1st inversion · G♯ – B – D – E
2nd inversion · B – D – E – G♯
3rd inversion · D – E – G♯ – B
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
E7 inversions
Here are all 4 positions of E7. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has E at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 3rd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with E7
The other chords of A major, the key where E7 is home (V7). Songs in this key move between them.
E7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G♯–B–D.
E7 on other instruments
About the E7 chord
The 4 notes of E dominant seventh are E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), D (♭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.
Put your thumb on E and count up: E – G♯ – B – D. The whole chord spans 10 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers E7 without stretching.
The inversions of E7 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–B–D–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–D–E–G♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D (D–E–G♯–B).
Add D to E and you have E7.
E7 belongs to A major (V7), A minor (V7), F sharp minor (VII7).
Questions
What notes are in the E7 chord?
E7 (E dominant seventh) has 4 notes: E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), D (♭7).
How many inversions does E7 have?
E7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G♯–B–D); 1st inversion (G♯–B–D–E); 2nd inversion (B–D–E–G♯); 3rd inversion (D–E–G♯–B).
What is the difference between E7 and E?
Add D to E and you have E7.
Can I play E7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position E7 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.