Dominant Chords

A dominant chord consists of a major triad together with a b7 and is built on the fifth degree of the major scale or the harmonic minor scale. Dominant chords have a tendency to resolve to other chords, usually major or minor chords. Making up a third of one of the most important jazz chord progressions (the ii-V-I), dominant 7th chords are essential tools for any jazz guitarist to have under their fingers. 

In this lesson, you will learn how dominant 7th chords work, how they are formed, and why dominant chords are called dominant. You will also learn how to play dominant chords on the guitar and how they are used in jazz and other styles of music.

The term ‘dominant chord’ can refer to two facets that are related to each other:

  1. It can refer to a chord type.
  2. It can refer to a harmonic function.

The symbol of a dominant seventh chord is “7” added to the root of the chord.

For example: G dominant 7 = G7

 

How To Construct a Dominant 7th chord

First, we’ll have a look at dominant chords as a chord type.

Let’s make a dominant chord and start from the C major scale:

 

C Major Scale C D E F G A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

Something to remember:

The dominant chord is built on the 5th scale degree

The 5th scale degree of C major is G, so the dominant chord of C major is G7.

We are going to construct a chord by stacking thirds on G (if this is new to you, follow our Chord Theory Lesson first):

 

G7 G B D F
Dominant Chord Formula 1 3 5 b7

 

The dominant chord of C major is G7 and consists of the notes G B D and F.

Dominant chord = major triad + b7

 

Dominant 7th Chords On The Guitar

Let’s have a look at some dominant chord shapes on the guitar.

 

Basic Dominant 7th Chords

Here are 5 basic dominant 7 shapes that you should memorize.

Learn to apply them to chord progressions and jazz standards as soon as possible.

 

C dominant 7 jazz guitar chords

 

Drop 3 Dominant 7 Inversions – E-string Bass Note

To begin our studies of drop 3 dominant chords for jazz guitar, here is the formula for building each inversion.

Once you have these interval patterns memorized you will be ready to apply them to the fretboard by learning the shapes in the chord charts below.

 

Drop 3 7 Root Position 1 b7 3 5
Drop 3 7 1st Inversion 3 1 5 b7
Drop 3 7 2nd Inversion 5 3 b7 1
Drop 3 7 3rd Inversion b7 5 1 3

 

Here are four inversions of C7 drop 3 chords that you can apply to your jazz guitar studies:

 

C dominant 7 drop 3 chord chart

 

Drop 3 Dominant 7 Inversions – A-string Bass Note

When moving on to the next string set for drop 3 7th chords (with the lowest note on the 5th string), you don’t need to learn a new intervallic formula as those intervals remain the same on any string set.

Here are four inversions of that chord for you to learn, practice in 12 keys and apply to your favorite jazz standards.

 

C7 drop 3 inversions 2

 

Drop 2 Dominant 7 Inversions – A-string Bass Note

You can now move on to exploring drop 2 chords by learning how to build the intervals for each inversion.

 

Drop 2 7 Root Position 1 5 b7 3
Drop 2 7 1st Inversion 3 b7 1 5
Drop 2 7 2nd Inversion 5 1 3 b7
Drop 2 7 3rd Inversion b7 3 5 1

 

Here are four inversions of a drop 2 C7 chord on the middle four strings that you can work in the practice room, as well as take to other keys as you move these shapes around the fretboard.

 

C7 drop 2 inversions

 

Drop 2 Dominant 7 Inversions – D-string Bass Note

Here are four drop 2 C7 chord shapes on the top four strings/

 

C dominant 7 drop 2 chord chart

 

Dominant Chords With Extensions

A plain dominant chord sounds a bit vanilla, especially in jazz. That’s why we add other notes to dominant chords, to make them more interesting and colorful. The added notes are called tensions or extensions.

 

Dominant 9 Chords

Interval structure = 1 3 5 b7 9

 

C9 chord chart

 

Dominant 13 Chords

Interval structure = 1 3 5 b7 (9) 13

 

C dominant 13 chords

 

7Sus4 Chords

Interval structure = 1 4 5 b7

Dominant sus4 chords are something different. In a sus4 chord, the 4th (usually) replaces the 3rd of the dominant chord: G C D F instead of G B D F.

This creates a chord with an open sound. Sus4 chords can act as a delay for dominant chords, as in this example:

 

Dominant sus4 chords

 

Here are three common examples of 7sus4 chords:

 

C7sus4 Chords

 

9Sus4 Chords

Interval structure = 1 4 5 b7 9

 

C9sus4 chords

 

13Sus4 Chords

Interval structure = 1 4 5 b7 (9) 13

 

C13sus4 chords

Altered Dominant Chords

To bring even more tension to dominant chords, we can “alter” these tension notes, that means lower or raise them by a half tone.

 

Dominant 7b9

C7b9 chord chart

 

7b9 Sus 4

C7sus4b9 chord chart

 

Dominant 13b9 / Dominant 13#9

C13b9 chord chart
C13#9 chord chart

 

Dominant 7#9

C7#9 chord chart

 

Dominant 7#11

C7#11 chord chart

 

Dominant 7b13

C7b13 chord chart

 

Dominant 7 (b9,b13)

C7b9b13 chord chart

 

Altered – 7b5(b9)

C7 altered chord chart (C7b5b9)

 

Altered – 7b5(#9)

C7 altered chord chart (C7b5#9)

 

Altered – 7#5(b9)

C7 altered chord chart (C7#5b9)

 

Altered – 7#5(#9)

C7 altered chord chart (C7#5#9)

 

How Are Dominant Chords Used?

Let’s have a look at the function of the dominant chord family.

Every note and chord in a scale has a diatonic function, a certain role they play in relation to the key.

 

Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7 Am7 Bm7b5
I II III IV V VI VII
Tonic Subdominant
(Supertonic)
Tonic
(Mediant)
Subdominant Dominant Tonic
(Submediant)
Dominant
(Leading Tone)

 

The most important functions are Tonic, Subdominant, and Dominant:

  • Tonic: the first chord in the C major scale (Cmaj7) is called tonic. It is the tonal center and final resolution chord and gives our ears a sense of “musical relaxation” or “being home”.
  • Subdominant: the fourth chord (Fmaj7) is called subdominant. It gives our ears a sense of movement, of moving away from the tonic.
  • Dominant: the fifth chord (G7) is called dominant. The dominant chord creates tension and instability and wants to resolve to the tonic chord.

 

Here’s an audio example so you can hear what a dominant chord sounds like.

  • We start on Cmaj7, the tonal center.
  • The chords move to the subdominant (Fmaj7), moving away from the tonic
  • The dominant starts on bar 4 (G13 has the same function as G7). I made the G7 part longer so you can feel the urge to resolve to Cmaj7, which it does in bar 9.

 

Listen & Play Along

- +

What is a dominant chord?

 

How To Resolve a Dominant Chord?

As you learned in the previous example, a dominant chord resolves to its tonic chord. This is because of voice leading.

The 3 (b) and b7 (f) of G7 form a tritone interval (interval of 6 semi-tones). This is an unstable interval with a lot of dissonance and tension. This tension makes the unstable notes want to move to their nearest neighbor in the key of C major:

  • The b7 of G7 (f) wants to resolve to the 3 of C (e)
  • The 3 of G7 (b) wants to resolve to the 1 of C (c)

 

How to resolve a dominant chord?

 

C isn’t the only chord G7 can resolve to, here are some other options:

 

G7 to Cmaj7

C and Cmaj7 are the same chords: C is a triad, while Cmaj7 is a seventh chord.

How to resolve a dominant chord?

 

G7 to C6

C, Cmaj7, and C6 have the same function.

Cmaj7 has the 7th (b) added to the major triad, C6 has the 6th (a) added to the major triad.

C6 is a more stable chord than C maj7, which makes it a good chord to end tunes.

How to resolve a dominant chord?

 

G7 to Cm7

How to resolve a dominant chord?

 

G7 to Am7

How to resolve a dominant chord?

 

G7 to F#m7

How to resolve a dominant chord?

Secondary Dominant Chords

A secondary dominant chord (called “double dominant chord” by some) is the dominant of the dominant chord (V of V).

For example: we now know that the dominant chord of Cmaj7 is G7 and that dominant chords are built on the 5th scale degree. So if we want to find the dominant chord of G7, we should count 5 scale steps starting from G and make that chord dominant. The result is a D7 chord, the secondary dominant.

You can go further by finding the dominant of the secondary dominant. Counting 5 steps from D brings us to A7. Going even further, we’ll find the dominant of A7, which is E7, and so on…

Try to play these chords in sequence:

 

Secondary dominants

 

Dominant Chords In Blues

In blues music, all main chords are of the dominant type.

This means that in jazz blues chord progressions, the tonic, subdominant, and of course the dominant are all dominant-type chords (1 3 5 b7).

This is a result of the blue notes, notes that are sung at a slightly lower pitch than those of the major scale. The b7 (b3 and b5 are the others) is such a blue note and that’s why dominant chords are so prevalent in blues music.

 

To learn more about jazz blues guitar playing, have a look at our Introduction to Jazz Blues Guitar eBooks.

 

Jazz Blues Guitar eBook Bundle

 

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37 thoughts on “Dominant Chords”

  1. Miro

    excellent lesson, thanks a lot

  2. Lucas

    That answers perfectly my question. Thank you very much ! Would it be ok if I ask another question?

    1. Dirk Laukens

      Sure Lucas, go ahead…

      1. Lucas

        To which major scale does E phrygian dominant correspond to?

        1. Dirk Laukens

          It doesn’t correspond to a major scale, but to a minor scale (the A minor harmonic scale).

          E Mixolydian corresponds to A major. So on a V I in A major (E7 to Amaj7), you play the E Mixolydian scale (which has the same notes as the A major scale, so you might as well think A major over the 2 chords instead of E Mixolydian over E7 and A major of Amaj7, to simplify things).

          E Phrygian dominant corresponds to A (harmonic) minor. So on a V i in A minor (E7 to Am7), you play the E Phrygian dominant scale.

  3. Lucas

    Hi, does the sclae presented in the audio file towards the end of the audio track before reseolving to cmaj have a name by any chances?

      1. Lucas

        Out of curiosity, what does the “dominant” mean when talking about a mode? Is it the same as a dominant chord? (sorry if this is a silly question)

        1. Dirk Laukens

          The reason a scale is called dominant is the same reason a chord is called dominant. It’s because both the scale and the chord have a tritone between the 3 and the b7. A tritone is an interval of 3 whole tones (B-F for example) and is the most unstable interval, an interval that wants to resolve.

          The Mixolydian scale is the dominant mode from the major scale. The Phrygian dominant scale is the dominant mode from the minor scale. Both scales are the 5th degree of their tonic scale: G Phrygian Dominant is the 5th degree of C harmonic minor, G Mixolydian is the 5th degree of the C major scale.

          I hope that answers your question.

      2. Christian

        Thank you very much! Can i ask, why is the scale c harmonic minor, and not c mixolydian? Isn’t the rest in c major? Why is it that you can play c harmonic minor in c major?

        1. Dirk Laukens

          Hi Christian, a dominant chord can resolve to a major chord or to a minor chord. When a dominant chord goes to a major chord, the most obvious scale to use is the Mixolydian scale. When a dominant chord goes to a minor chord, the most obvious scale to use is the Phrygian dominant scale, which is the 5th degree of C harmonic minor. In that instance, the harmonic minor scale is the starting point because we are in a minor key.

          1. Christian

            Thank you very much for the help!

  4. saanu michael

    This is so good. I have been playing for 17 years now. I must confess this is incredible.

  5. Al Brussich

    Dirk,
    In the first audio example, at the 5th measure G7(alt.)is shown. What is that? I see this called out in several other lessons but cannot find an explanation of what that chord should be. The one place I did find it showed several variations but nothing actually written as noted. Sorry, it’s a simple thing but I can’t find a simple explanation.
    Thanks. Al B.

    1. Dirk Laukens

      Hi Al,

      Alt is the abbreviation of altered and can relate to a scale or a chord.
      The altered scale is a dominant scale with lowered (by half step) tensions.

      Altered scale = 1 b9 #9 3 b5 b13 b7

      An altered chord is a dominant chord that uses tensions out of the altered scale.

  6. chordtone

    LOVE this article!!! It brings together a lot of concepts that I had not quite grasped before and clarifies them very succinctly. I will especially be using this to study the secondary dominants. Beautiful lesson! Thank you for your effort in putting this together.

  7. tony

    Hey Dirk,
    First timer here, but it won’t be the last! Pushing 40 and playing for ten years and will be playing and learning til the end rolls round. Really enjoyed this lesson, thanks so much…

  8. Steve Bhowanee

    Thank Dirk,

    You are a great teacher and Jazz Guitar player. Sorry for not being able to always comment on all your excellent lessons.

  9. John

    Dirk, The chords in this lesson are chords I’ve been playing for years but didn’t really know the theory behind them. Thanks for clearing up some things!

  10. Yohann

    Hi! nice lesson, it’s always good learning more about harmony functions even if I already know something about it. Great job!!!

  11. Cemil

    Thanks for the very nice lesson. It just dawned to me that the ‘Rhythm Changes’ sequence is just a series of cascading subdominants. I had only thought of them a 4th apart, doh 🙂

  12. Silverfoxx

    Am completely at a loss to understand the remarks above by
    Everyman Jazz. I have not seen any
    derogatory remarks of this nature on
    The Forum. Quite the reverse in fact?

  13. mo6

    its a nice work,find it very interesting. thanks alot

  14. Daniel Day

    Long time fan. Thanks for your service to the community.

  15. Lou

    Nice sounder Dirk. Smooth and easy on the ears and that’s what I want to play. More like theses please.

  16. jungle

    Thanks for the refresher. Appreciated.

  17. Alain

    Excellent and so useful explanations…..
    Bravo

  18. Claudio

    Thanks Dirk!,,
    I”d apreciate you very much if you explain how to construct Secondary Chords Scales, and Dominante of Secondary Chords Scales.
    Love from Spain!!!

  19. Arthur

    I’m a sax player, not even a guitar player and enjoy your concise lessons on chords and tunes. Thank you so much!
    I noticed the typo too;)

  20. Charly from Mex.

    Hi Dirk i realy apreciate this little lessons, very clear and easy to understand, Thanks!!

  21. rob

    Dirk your lessons are great . I really enjoyed the drop 2 chord lesson. Now i can see how jazz players make such cool intro;s thanks Rob !

  22. Bob Player

    I’ve been reading your stuff online for several years now, and I think it’s the best stuff out there. I’m closing in on 68, and have been playing since I was 12. Lots of moves, and changes in between, but I’m still taking lessons and trying to get better. My name is a tough one for a guitarist to live up to, but I’m trying. Your stuff has helped a lot with gaining an overall understanding of theory. I think it’s time that I sent you a check for some of this. Order coming soon!
    Bob Player

  23. Rob Harvy

    Dirk you’re a legend!
    Fantastic work and a great site for unlocking the mysteries of jazz,

    Cheers,

    Rob

  24. Earl Allen

    As usual, your lessons are meaty. You do a great service to anyone wanting a better
    understanding of jazz guitar!!!

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