Guitar arpeggio
C Dominant 7 Guitar Arpeggio
C Dominant 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from C, E, G, and Bb. It is also commonly called C Dominant Seventh and C7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- C, E, G, Bb
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10
- Chord symbols
- C7
- Also called
- C Dominant SeventhC7
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent C root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the C root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called C Dominant Seventh or C7.
Chord construction and defining tones
C dominant 7 is defined by 3 (E) and b7 (Bb). The major third and flat seventh form the tritone that gives a dominant chord its directional tension.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over C7, especially when the chord resolves down a fifth or up a fourth to its tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the C Dominant 7 arpeggio from one C root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Play 3 (E) and b7 (Bb) as a two-note guide-tone shape in every position, then add the root and fifth around it.
- Outline C7 and resolve its third and flat seventh by semitone into the next chord when possible.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with C Dominant 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard