You are given the root of a dominant seventh chord (M3 + P5 + m7 above the root), in root position. Your task is to place the other three notes of the chord on the staff: the third, fifth and seventh.
Structure of the dominant seventh chord
A dominant seventh chord is built on the fifth degree (the dominant) of a key: a major triad with a minor seventh added on top. It contains a tritone (between the third and the seventh), which makes it sound tense and pull toward the tonic.
| Position | Symbol / figured bass | Intervals above the bass |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | 7 | M3 + P5 + m7 |
| First inversion | 6/5 | m3 + d5 + m6 |
| Second inversion | 4/3 | m3 + P4 + M6 |
| Third inversion | 4/2 | M2 + A4 + M6 |
Exercise
How to use the exercise: Click (or drag) on the staff to place each note. If a note needs an accidental, choose it first with the accidental buttons (double flat, flat, natural, sharp, double sharp). Undo removes the last note and Clear restarts the exercise. The magnifier shows the note you are about to place at a larger size.
In every inversion the chord still contains the same four notes. If you get stuck, find the interval of a second (or its inversion, a seventh) among the notes: the root is the upper note of that second when the chord is written in close position.
Other positions of the dominant seventh chord: first inversion, second inversion, third inversion, all positions mixed. You can also practice recognizing them (together with Half-diminished (leading-tone) seventh and Diminished seventh chords in the same position) or review the theory on the dominant seventh chord page.
Printable worksheet (PDF)
The same exercise on paper, for class: 21 chords of the dominant seventh, with the lowest note given, on one side of A4. The student writes the other three. With a separate answer sheet.
Download the worksheet (PDF, A4) Answers
You may print and photocopy it freely for the classroom.
More worksheets
Need more practice on paper? Generate as many worksheets as you like, each one with different chords, and print them straight from your browser.