How to play the C7 chord on guitar
C dominant seventh (C7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape x32310 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are C, E, G, Bb, and the lowest sounding note is C.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | 3 | C |
| 4th (D) | 2 | E |
| 3rd (G) | 3 | Bb |
| 2nd (B) | 1 | C |
| 1st (high E) | Open | E |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 b7. This shape leaves out the perfect 5th (G).
| Note | Degree | Interval from C | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Left out |
| Bb | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from C7
C7 sounds five strings with one string muted: four fretted positions between frets 1 and 3, plus one open string. 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 C7 shape.
- C7 to C: keep three fretted notes in place (5th string fret 3, 4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 1), no new positions to fret.
- C7 to Cmaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (5th string fret 3, 4th string fret 2), no new positions to fret.
- C7 to Am7: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 1), no new positions to fret.
- C7 to Am: keep two fretted notes in place (4th string fret 2, 2nd string fret 1), one new position to fret.