Gitarist OkuluC7 chordC dominant 7th
C7 (C dominant 7th) has a tense sound used a lot in blues and rock. Notes: C – E – G – A#.
How to play C7
- String 6: not played
- String 5: fret 3, finger 3 (ring)
- String 4: fret 2, finger 2 (middle)
- String 3: fret 3, finger 4 (pinky)
- String 2: fret 1, finger 1 (index)
- String 1: open
× muted string · ○ open string · numbers are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky)
💻 Learn it by playing in the app
Open the app →The chord check listens and tells you which string is muted
Chord structure
| Note | C | E | G | A# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | 1 (root) | 3 (major 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) | ♭7 |
Other ways to play C7
Open position
Fret 3 · A shape
Fret 5 · G shape
Fret 8 · E shape
Fret 10 · D shape
Tips
- Press with your fingertips as close to the fret as you can; you need less force for a clean sound.
- Pick each string on its own and listen for muted strings; a finger touching the next string is the usual cause.
- Press, release, press again: if you can form C7 cleanly 20 times in a minute, you have it.