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

This page provides an accessible, text-only version of the C 7 guitar chord, designed for use with screen-reader software.

• For additional chords, visit our complete list of chord diagrams in textual form.
• If you'd prefer the visual version with graphic diagrams and color highlights, please visit the C 7 chord diagrams page.

Chord Shapes

There are 17 positions for this chord:

Position 1

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Let the high E string play without pressing any fret
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the B string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the A string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 3 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position uses open strings

Position 2

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 3 of the A, G and high E strings at the same time
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 5 of the D string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 5 of the B string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 3

Fingers Positions

• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the low E, D and high E strings at the same time
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 9 of the G string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 10 of the A string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 11 of the B string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 4

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the D, G and B strings at the same time
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the high E string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 5

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the B string
• Mute the high E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 3 of the A string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 6

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the high E string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 9 of the G string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 10 of the D string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 11 of the B string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 7

Fingers Positions

• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the low E, D, B and high E strings at the same time
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 9 of the G string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 10 of the A string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 8

Fingers Positions

• Mute the A string
• Mute the high E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the low E string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the D string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 8 of the B string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 9

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 10 of the D string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 11 of the B string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 12 of the G string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 12 of the high E string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 10

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 12 of the high E string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 13 of the B string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 14 of the D string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 15 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 11

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the B string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 3 of the A string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the G string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 3 of the high E string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 12

Fingers Positions

• Mute the A string
• Mute the B string
• Mute the high E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 3 of the low E string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 13

Fingers Positions

• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the D, G and B strings at the same time
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 6 of the high E string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 7 of the A string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 8 of the low E string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 14

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the high E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 13 of the B string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 14 of the D string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 15 of the A string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 15 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 15

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 3 of the G and high E strings at the same time
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 5 of the D string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 5 of the B string

Position Characteristics

• This position requires barre
• This position is movable

Position 16

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the A string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the B string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the G string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 3 of the high E string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

Position 17

Fingers Positions

• Mute the low E string
• Mute the high E string
• Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the B string
• Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the D string
• Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 3 of the A string
• Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 3 of the G string

Position Characteristics

• This position is movable

C 7 Description

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.

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