How to play the A7 chord on guitar
A dominant seventh (A7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape x02020 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are A, C#, E, G, and the lowest sounding note is A.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | Open | A |
| 4th (D) | 2 | E |
| 3rd (G) | Open | G |
| 2nd (B) | 2 | C# |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 b7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from A | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| C# | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| E | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| G | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from A7
A7 sounds five strings with one string muted: two fretted positions all at fret 2, plus three open strings. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the A7 shape.
- A7 to A: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- A7 to Amaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- A7 to Am7: keep one fretted note in place (4th string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- A7 to Em: keep one fretted note in place (4th string fret 2), one new position to fret.