A dominant seventh chord is a type of chord that consists of four notes: the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. It is often represented by the symbol "7" after the root note, such as C7 for a C dominant seventh chord. This chord creates a strong sense of tension that typically resolves to a tonic chord, making it a key element in many styles of music, especially in blues, jazz, and classical genres. The dominant seventh chord is built on the fifth degree of a scale, known as the dominant. For example, in the key of C major, the dominant seventh chord is G7, which consists of the notes G, B, D, and F. This chord plays a crucial role in establishing harmonic movement and is frequently used to create a feeling of anticipation before resolving to the tonic chord, enhancing the overall musical experience.