C7 Chord
The C7 is a dominant 7th chord that sounds bluesy, tense, and yearning to resolve. Dominant 7th chords are the engine of blues and jazz. Their inherent tension wants to resolve, making them perfect for transitions and turnarounds.
Open Position
Chord Diagrams
Position — Fret 8
Uses a barre chord technique
Barre Shape — Fret 3
Uses a barre chord technique
How to Play C7
Follow these steps for the open position fingering:
| # | String | Instruction | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low E (6th string) | ●Fret 8 with your index finger | C |
| 2 | A (5th string) | ●Fret 10 with your ring finger | E |
| 3 | D (4th string) | ●Fret 10 with your pinky finger | G |
| 4 | G (3rd string) | ●Fret 9 with your middle finger | A# |
| 5 | B (2nd string) | ●Fret 8 with your index finger | C |
| 6 | High E (1st string) | ●Fret 8 with your index finger | E |
○ = Open string (no fingers needed)
✕ = Muted string (don't play)
● = Press your finger down firmly just behind the fret
Notes in C7
The C7 chord is built from 4 distinct notes, each serving a harmonic role:
Other C Chords
Explore other chord types built on the same root note:
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