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A7 chord on guitar

A7 (A dominant seventh) is A, C♯, E and G. The easiest way to play it is the open A7 chord, written x02020. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th, 3rd and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

A7

A dominant seventh · A C♯ E G · 1 3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    23AEGC♯E

    x02020

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    5fr131211AEGC♯EA

    575655

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A, the root.

How to play A7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x02020
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 5th, 3rd and 1st strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 5th fret

    575655
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 7th fret.

Notes in the A7 chord

A7 is A, C♯, E and G, and it sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up. From A, count 4 half steps up to C♯, 3 more to E and 3 more to G. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A lowest. See its inversions and keys on the A7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after A7

Dxx0232A7 is the V7 of D: its seventh pulls straight home there.Dmxx0231The same pull into Dm, home in the minor key.Bmx24432A7 to Bm is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More guitar chords

Other chords on A

AAmAmaj7Am7Asus2Asus4Aadd9A9A6AdimAm7♭5Adim7Aaug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C7C♯7D7E♭7E7F7F♯7G7A♭7B♭7B7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play A7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open A7 chord, written x02020. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th, 3rd and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the A7 chord?

A7 is A, C♯, E and G. In the shape written x02020, the 5th to 1st strings play A, E, G, C♯ and E.

Is A7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x02020 needs no barre. The barre shape (575655) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play A7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x02020 (open position) and 575655 (5th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with A7?

Yes. “Make a beat in D major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where A7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in D major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where A7 is the V7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in D majorAll guitar chords

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