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C7 chord on guitar

C7 (C dominant seventh) is C, E, G and B♭. The easiest way to play it is the open C7 chord, written x32310. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

C7

C dominant seventh · C E G B♭ · 1 3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    3241CEB♭CE

    x32310

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr13141CGB♭EG

    x35353

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    8fr131211CGB♭EGC

    8-10-8-9-8-8

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 C, the root.

How to play C7

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

    x32310
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 1st string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35353
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-10-8-9-8-8
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 10th fret.

Notes in the C7 chord

C7 is C, E, G and B♭, and it sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up. From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G and 3 more to B♭. 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 C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the C7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after C7

Fxx3211C7 is the V7 of F: its seventh pulls straight home there.Fmxx3111The same pull into Fm, home in the minor key.Dmxx0231C7 to Dm is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmCmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C♯7D7E♭7E7F7F♯7G7A♭7A7B♭7B7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open C7 chord, written x32310. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the C7 chord?

C7 is C, E, G and B♭. In the shape written x32310, the 5th to 1st strings play C, E, B♭, C and E.

Is C7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x32310 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x35353, 8-10-8-9-8-8) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play C7 on guitar?

This page shows three: x32310 (open position), x35353 (3rd fret) and 8-10-8-9-8-8 (8th 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 C7?

Yes. “Make a beat in F major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where C7 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 F major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where C7 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 F majorAll guitar chords

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