How to play C7: a dominant 7th built on C, with 1 voicing, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 1 open string, played near the nut. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 3 1 0 (x = not played).
| Note | C | E | Bb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | b7 |
C7 is a dominant 7th with C as its root. The full theoretical spelling is C, E, G, Bb. This voicing omits the 5th, the tone guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings.
C7 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 1 major key and 2 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
Free chord sheets on Guitar Scribble with C7 in them. Each opens with the chords over the lyrics and plays in any key.
All tools are free with no download. Customize the fingering, print it, or drop it straight into a chart.
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C7 is spelled C, E, G, Bb: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th. The common guitar voicing sounds C, E, Bb, leaving out the 5th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 3 1 0 (x means the string is not played). Fret the B string at the 1st fret. Add the D string at the 2nd fret. Add the A and G strings at the 3rd fret. The high E string rings open. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.
C7 belongs to 3 keys: F major (the V chord), D minor (the VII) and F minor (the V, from the harmonic minor).
