Learn › A7 Chord on Piano (A Dominant 7th)
New Released in April 2026
A7 Chord on Piano (A Dominant 7th)
A dominant 7th (A7) is spelled A - C# - E - G. It sounds like A with an extra G, the note that gives it its restless dominant colour. Below: the four positions, fingering, a three-note voicing and where A7 goes next.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
A7 inversions on the keyboard
In the 3rd inversion G is the lowest note: the seventh in the bass.
Root position: A C# E G
1st inversion: C# E G A
2nd inversion: E G A C#
3rd inversion: G A C# E
A7 fingering, both hands
| Hand | A | C# | E | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 (thumb) | 2 | 3 | 5 (little) |
| Left hand | 5 (little) | 3 | 2 | 1 (thumb) |
Play A7 broken first, A, C#, E, G one by one, then together: a wrong key stands out.
A7 without the fifth
The fifth (E) adds little colour. A C# G is enough to sound like A7 and is far easier to reach.
A7 compared with the other 7th chords on A
Same root, same fifth: watch the third and the seventh.
Where A7 goes
- A7 is the V7 chord of D major and of D minor: it pulls into D / Dm.
- In a ii-V-I in D major it is the middle chord: Em7 → A7 → Dmaj7.
- Between C# and G there is a tritone, the interval that creates the pull. Eb7 has the same two notes, so it can replace A7 (tritone substitution).
How to practise A7
- Start in root position: A, C#, E, G, four times, eyes on the symbol.
- Climb the four positions: A C# E G, then C# E G A, E G A C# and G A C# E, and back down.
- Loop Em7 → A7 → Dmaj7 until the change into and out of A7 is clean.
- Then mix it with chords you already know, in an order you do not choose: that is where it sticks.
A few minutes every day on A7 beat one long session a week.
Train A7 in a game
Knowing A7 on paper is step one. ChordRunner makes you find it fast, mixed with other chords. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Play the demoCommon questions
What notes are in the A dominant 7th chord?
A7 has four notes: A, C#, E, G. Root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh (formula 1 3 5 b7).
Can I play A7 with three notes?
Yes. Leave out the fifth and play A C# G: root, third and seventh. It still sounds like A7 and is easier for the left hand.
Where does A7 go?
A7 is the V7 chord of D major and of D minor: it pulls into D / Dm. In a ii-V-I in D major it is the middle chord: Em7 → A7 → Dmaj7.
Can I practise A7 with a MIDI keyboard?
Yes. In ChordRunner a USB MIDI keyboard is detected automatically, and an acoustic piano works through the microphone. A7 counts in any inversion, as long as A, C#, E, G sound together.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Try the demoKeep learning
Piano Chord Chart: Every Chord in All 12 Keys
Piano chord chart with the notes of 288 chords: major, minor, 7ths, 9ths, sus and more in all 12 keys. Click a…
A Minor 7th Chord on Piano (Am7)
How to play the A minor 7th chord (Am7 chord) on piano: A C E G, both hands, four inversions, three-note voici…
A Major 7th Chord on Piano (Amaj7)
How to play the A major 7th chord (Amaj7 chord) on piano: A C# E G#, both hands, four inversions, three-note v…
A Half-Diminished Chord on Piano (Am7b5)
The A half-diminished 7th chord (Am7b5 chord) on piano: notes A C Eb G, inversions, shell voicing and its ii-V…
A Diminished 7th Chord on Piano (Adim7)
How to play the A diminished 7th chord (Adim7 chord) on piano: A C Eb Gb, both hands, four inversions, three-n…
A Major Chord on Piano (A)
A major chord on piano (A): notes A C# E, keyboard picture, inversions, fingering and the keys it belongs to.…