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F7 chord on guitar

F7 (F dominant seventh) is F, A, C and E♭. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written 131211. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.

F7

F dominant seventh · F A C E♭ · 1 3 5 ♭7

  • 1st fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    131211FCE♭ACF

    131211

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    8fr13141FCE♭AC

    x-8-10-8-10-8

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 F, the root.

How to play F7

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. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 1st fret

    131211
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 8th fret

    x-8-10-8-10-8
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 10th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the F7 chord

F7 is F, A, C and E♭, and it sounds bluesy and restless: it wants to move on, usually a fourth up. From F, count 4 half steps up to A, 3 more to C and 3 more to E♭. 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 F lowest. See its inversions and keys on the F7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after F7

B♭x13331F7 is the V7 of B♭: its seventh pulls straight home there.B♭mx13321The same pull into B♭m, home in the minor key.Gmxx5333F7 to Gm is V7 to vi, the surprise ending (a deceptive cadence).

More guitar chords

Other chords on F

FFmFmaj7Fm7Fsus2Fsus4Fadd9F9F6FdimFm7♭5Fdim7Faug

Dominant seventh chords on other notes

C7C♯7D7E♭7E7F♯7G7A♭7A7B♭7B7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play F7 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written 131211. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.

What notes are in the F7 chord?

F7 is F, A, C and E♭. In the shape written 131211, the 6th to 1st strings play F, C, E♭, A, C and F.

Is F7 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 1st fret (131211) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play F7 on guitar?

This page shows two: 131211 (1st fret) and x-8-10-8-10-8 (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 F7?

Yes. “Make a beat in B♭ major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B♭ major on B♭ F Gm E♭, the key where F7 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 B♭ major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B♭ major on B♭ F Gm E♭, the key where F7 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 B♭ majorAll guitar chords

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