D# DOMINANT SEVENTH - PIANO
Chord composition
| I | III | V | ♭VII |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Major third | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh |
| D# | G | A# | C# |
ALL ABOUT THE D# DOMINANT SEVENTH CHORD
Chord Composition
The D# Dominant Seventh chord is composed of 4 notes :
- D# (Root)
- G (Major third)
- A# (Perfect fifth)
- C# (Minor seventh)
These notes form a dominant seventh chord, adding tension and harmonic movement.
How to play D# Dominant Seventh on piano
The D# Dominant Seventh dominant seventh chord is fundamental in blues, jazz and rock. It adds tension that calls for resolution.
- Open position: rich positions with open strings, ideal for blues
- Barre position: movable across the entire neck for all keys
- Partial voicings: by omitting the fifth, you get a more compact and modern sound
The minor seventh creates a characteristic dissonance that defines the sound of blues and jazz. Mastering this chord is essential for these styles.
Specific techniques
For 7th chords on piano:
- Bends and slides: use these techniques to add expressiveness, typical of blues
- Rootless voicings: in jazz, omit the root for a more sophisticated sound
- Tritone substitution: replace with another 7th chord at tritone distance
Common uses of D# Dominant Seventh
The D# Dominant Seventh chord plays a key role in functional harmony:
- Dominant function: creates tension that naturally calls for resolution to the tonic. This is the basic principle of tonal harmony.
- 12-bar blues: characteristic 7-7-7 structure where all chords are sevenths. This sonority defines traditional blues.
- Jazz and ii-V-I progressions: enriches cadences with sophisticated harmonic colors. The ii-V-I is the DNA of jazz.
- Rock and rock'n'roll: 7th riffs define the sound of the 50s-60s
Musical styles
Blues: absolutely fundamental - 12-bar blues relies entirely on dominant seventh chords.
Jazz: sevenths are enriched with extensions (#9, b9, #11, b13) to create complex colors.
Rock'n'roll: the 50s heavily relied on sevenths for that retro, danceable sound.
Funk and Soul: used in syncopated grooves, creating a rich and rhythmic harmonic foundation.