Need to learn how to play the C7 chord on guitar? Check out the chord chart below to see how to play the C7 chord with ease!
How to play the C7 guitar chord: Chart and Description
To play the C7 chord, place your left hand fingers on the following strings and frets:
- Index (Finger 1): Fret 1, String 2 (C)
- Pinky (Finger 4): Fret 3, String 3 (Bb)
- Middle (Finger 2): Fret 2, String 4 (E)
- Ring (Finger 3): Fret 3, String 5 (C)
- You can play the following open strings:
- String 1 (open high E)
- Avoid playing the String 6 (low E), which has an “X” in the box diagram above. Although this note is technically part of the C major chord and won’t sound terrible, more often you’ll want to play string 5 (C) as the lowest note. This is the root of the chord!
If you’re already comfortable playing the C major chord, then this C7 chord shape won’t be too challenging! You just need to add your left hand pinky (finger 4) onto fret 3, string 3, which is a Bb note.
If you hear a buzzing sound when you play the C chord, it’s most likely an issue with string 5. To reduce the buzz, try placing your left hand ring finger (finger 3) closer to the end of the third fret.
The C7 chord is the dominant seventh chord (V7) of F major and F minor. Therefore, you’ll find it beneficial to practice transitioning between the C7 and F major or F minor chord shapes.
To make the C7 to F transitions easier, you can anchor finger 3 down on string 5 (C). Then, practice moving finger 4 from string 3 (Bb) up to string 4 (F). By simplifying these movements, you’ll be able to focus the most challenging part of the transition: quickly moving finger 1 from string 2 fret 1 (C) to the full barre position.
What are the notes in a C7 chord?
The notes of the C7 are:
- C (Root)
- E (Third)
- G (Fifth)
- Bb (Seventh)
