C# dominant 7th chord on piano
The C# dominant 7th chord is C#–E#–G#–B. It's the same chord as Db: one sound, two spellings. Tap the keys below to hear it.
C#7C# · E# · G# · B
Tap the keys to hear them
E# is the same key as F. Chord spelling skips letters, so C#7 is written C#–E#–G#–B.
C#7: dominant 7 chords are tense; they want to resolve down a fifth, which for C#7 means F#. They power blues, gospel, and any cadence that lifts and lands.
How the C# dominant 7th chord is built
Db is the same chord. Which spelling a piece uses depends on its key signature. On the keyboard, the keys you press are identical.
Fingerings & inversions
Standard fingerings use the thumb (1), the little finger (5), and either the index (2) or middle finger (3). Hand size and musical context change what feels natural. Switch Fingers on above to see 1-2-3-5 land for C#7.
| Position | Notes (bottom → top) | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | C# – E# – G# – B | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 1st inversion | E# – G# – B – C# | 1-2-4-5 | 5-4-2-1 |
| 2nd inversion | G# – B – C# – E# | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 3rd inversion | B – C# – E# – G# | 1-2-4-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
Inversion diagrams
The inversion buttons above play all 4 shapes of C#7.
Where C#7 shows up
C#7 is the dominant seventh of F# major. When a song in F# wants a strong arrival, C#7 is the chord that comes right before it, and its B is the note leaning hardest.
Hear it drive a 12-bar blues in C#: C#7–F#7–G#7.
Common questions
What notes are in the C# dominant 7th chord?
The C# dominant 7th chord is made up of C#, E#, G#, B. C# is the black key between C and D, and starting the chord there shifts the whole hand slightly back on the keyboard.
What fingers should I use to play C#7 on piano?
In root position, the standard fingering is 1-2-3-5 in the right hand and 5-3-2-1 in the left hand (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger). C# and G# keep the hand up on the black keys, with E# and B in between, so let the fingers sit deep in the cluster for a secure reach.
Is C# dominant 7th the same as Db?
Yes. On the keyboard they are the same keys. Music written in sharp keys spells the chord C# dominant 7th; flat-key contexts write the identical sound as Db. C# dominant 7th is the spelling most people search for, so that's the name used here.
What's the difference between C#7 and C#maj7?
C#7 has a minor 7th on top, B, which makes it sound restless and ready to resolve. C#maj7 raises that note a half step, which sounds settled and warm instead. Same C#–E#–G# triad underneath, one note apart, very different jobs.
More C# chords
Reviewed by
Composer, arranger and music educator. BA Music (LIPA), MA Composition (University of Salford).
Last updated 2026-08-19