Jazz Basics

How Dominant Chords Work

The dominant chord contains tension. It often sounds like it is pushing toward the next chord.

1 3 5 b7

On C7:

C7

For a dominant chord, the 3 stays major and the 7 is lowered.

So here, 1 3 5 b7 means:

  • 1
  • major 3
  • 5
  • b 7

Compared with Cmaj7, the seventh is lowered:

Cmaj7 and C7

A very common resolution is:

C7 to F

That pull toward resolution is what makes the dominant sound so important.

Practice it in the app

Open Chord Progressions to loop progressions, change the tempo, and practice with piano, bass, and drums in real time.

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