How to Play a C7 Chord on Guitar – Easy C Dominant Seventh Guitar Chord

C 7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

Welcome to our tutorial on the fascinating C 7 chord. This powerful chord belongs to the Dominant Chords family, a group of chords known for their tension and resolution characteristics. The C 7 chord is built from the notes C, E, G, and Bb, following the intervals 1, 3, 5, and b7.

These intervals correspond to the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh, respectively. Understanding these fretboard intervals is crucial for mastering the C 7 chord and other similar chords. If you're interested in learning more about how these intervals work together to create a chord, check out our tutorial on building chords by stacking intervals.

The C 7 chord, like other dominant chords, is often used in jazz chord progressions, but you'll also find it in various genres of music. It's a versatile chord that can add a touch of complexity to your music. If you're new to dominant chords, our tutorial on dominant (7) guitar chords can provide a comprehensive overview.

Learning to play the C 7 chord involves understanding chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the chord. Our tutorial on guitar chords of all types can be a great reference for this. You may also find our tutorial on how to denote chords based on the intervals that compose them useful.

Whether you're an intermediate player or a beginner looking to advance, mastering the C 7 chord can open up new possibilities in your playing. We look forward to guiding you in this journey.

Notes in the C 7 chord:

CEGBb

Formula of the Dominant Seventh chord:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

How To Play The C Dominant Seventh chord on guitar

Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.

If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.

You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.

Position 1
Movable

C 7 position 5 guitar chord diagram

Position 2
Movable

C 7 position 12 guitar chord diagram

Position 3
Movable

C 7 position 6 guitar chord diagram

Position 4
Movable

C 7 position 8 guitar chord diagram

Position 5
Movable

C 7 position 9 guitar chord diagram

Position 6
Movable

C 7 position 10 guitar chord diagram

Position 7
Movable

C 7 position 11 guitar chord diagram

Position 8
Movable

C 7 position 14 guitar chord diagram

Position 9
Movable

C 7 position 16 guitar chord diagram

Position 10
Movable

C 7 position 17 guitar chord diagram

Position 11
Open

C 7 position 1 guitar chord diagram

Position 12
BarreMovable

C 7 position 4 guitar chord diagram

Position 13
BarreMovable

C 7 position 15 guitar chord diagram

Position 14
BarreMovable

C 7 position 2 guitar chord diagram

Position 15
BarreMovable

C 7 position 3 guitar chord diagram

Position 16
BarreMovable

C 7 position 7 guitar chord diagram

Position 17
BarreMovable

C 7 position 13 guitar chord diagram

download this tutorial in pdfYou can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you prefer a printable pdf, download the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf

Play This Chord With Other Roots

C 7 | D 7 | E 7 | F 7 | G 7 | A 7 | B 7 | C#7 | D#7 | F#7 | G#7 | A#7 | Ab7 | Bb7 | Db7 | Eb7 | Gb7

Create your C 7 chord shapes

Pick some of the tones from the fretboard map below and play this chord in new ways.

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5
b7
1
3
5