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E7 chord

E7 (E dominant seventh) is E, G♯, B and D. It sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up.

E7

E dominant seventh · E G♯ B D · 1 3 5 ♭7

EBDG♯

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the E7 chord

From E, count 4 half steps up to G♯, 3 more to B and 3 more to D. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7: each number is the note’s place in the E major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is three white keys and one black key (G♯).

The notes of E7 and their intervals from E
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
E1Root0
G♯3Major third4
B5Perfect fifth7
D♭7Minor seventh10

E7 chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

E G♯ B D

Written E7, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

G♯ B D E

Written E7/G♯: G♯ at the bottom.

2nd inversion

B D E G♯

Written E7/B: B at the bottom.

3rd inversion

D E G♯ B

Written E7/D: D at the bottom.

Keys with the E7 chord

E7 is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Raised 7th: the minor key with its seventh note a half step higher (harmonic minor), as most minor songs play their V and vii chords.

Chords that often come after E7

AA C♯ EE7 is the V7 of A: its seventh pulls straight home there.AmA C EThe same pull into Am, home in the minor key.F♯mF♯ A C♯E7 to F♯m is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More piano chords

Other chords on E

EEmEmaj7Em7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E9E6EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C7C♯7D7E♭7F7F♯7G7A♭7A7B♭7B7

Or see every chord at once on the piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E7 chord?

E7 is E, G♯, B and D. On the piano that is three white keys and one black key (G♯).

How do you play E7 on the piano?

With your right hand, play E, G♯, B and D with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb to little finger). With your left hand it is 5, 3, 2 and 1. From E, count 4 half steps up to G♯, 3 more to B and 3 more to D.

What are the inversions of E7?

Root position: E G♯ B D. 1st inversion: G♯ B D E (E7/G♯). 2nd inversion: B D E G♯ (E7/B). 3rd inversion: D E G♯ B (E7/D). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is E7 in?

In major keys, E7 is the V7 chord in A major. In minor keys, it is the VII7 chord in F♯ minor and the V7 chord in A minor (with its raised seventh).

Can I make a beat with E7?

Yes. “Make a beat in A major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A majorAll piano chords

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