C7 Chord
How to play C 7th on guitar — bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
- Notes
- C – E – G – A♯
- Frets (low → high)
- x 3 2 3 1 0
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Open position
How to play C7, step by step
- 1Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th).
- 3Put your little finger on the 3rd fret of the G string (3rd).
- 4Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd).
- 5Leave the low E string out — mute it with the side of a finger, or just avoid it as you strum.
- 6Let the high E string ring open.
- 7Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a dominant seventh chord
Bluesy and unresolved — it leans hard toward the chord a fourth above.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above C |
|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 |
| E | major 3rd | 4 |
| G | 5th | 7 |
| A♯ | minor 7th | 10 |
Other C chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play C7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the C7 chord?
- C7 is made of C, E, G, A♯ — the root, major 3rd, 5th, minor 7th of C.
- Is C7 hard to play?
- No — C7 sits at x 3 2 3 1 0 and is rated easy, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like C7?
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