V7–I

The V7–I progression is the most fundamental harmonic resolution in Western music. The dominant seventh chord contains a tritone between its third and seventh degrees that resolves by contrary motion to the tonic triad, creating the strongest possible sense of arrival. Every style of Western music relies on this tension-resolution principle, making V7–I the defining sound of tonal harmony.

Pattern: V7 – I Example in C Major: G7 – C

Genre: classical, jazz, pop, blues, rock Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

C Major G7 – C G Major D7 – G D Major A7 – D A Major E7 – A E Major B7 – E B Major F♯7 – B F♯ Major C♯7 – F♯ F Major C7 – F B♭ Major F7 – B♭ E♭ Major B♭7 – E♭ A♭ Major E♭7 – A♭ D♭ Major A♭7 – D♭

Song Examples

Happy Birthday — traditional
Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra
Johnny B. Goode — Chuck Berry

Related Progressions

V–I ii–V7–I ii7–V7–Imaj7