C sharp seventh piano chord (C#7)

Also written Db7 (D flat seventh)

The seventh chord (dominant seventh) adds a minor seventh to the major chord. It creates tension that wants to resolve: essential in blues, jazz and rock’n’roll.

On the keyboard

Chord notes

NoteInterval
C♯ (C sharp)root
E♯ (E sharp)major third
G♯ (G sharp)perfect fifth
Bminor seventh

Formula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 · C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – B

A progression with this chord

  1. C♭A♭E♭
  2. E♯BC♯G♯
  3. F♯A♯C♯

The ii – V – I: the seventh chord (V7) builds tension that resolves to the tonic chord (I).

Other C♯ chords

The same chord on other roots