Photo: Ashford Marx

What is a C7 chord?

fender.com - C dominant 7th Guitar Chord | How to Play C7 Chord | Fender Play

Does Flowkey have full songs?

If you're someone who already takes lessons and you're just looking for additional help with learning songs, Flowkey would be a great thing to add....

Last updated Aug 17, 2021

What happens if you don't tune piano regularly?

If your piano has gone without tuning for an extended period of time, its pitch may have dropped well below standard pitch at which it was designed...

Last updated Oct 22, 2019

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

The C7 - or C dominant seventh chord -- has a quavery brightness to its tone. It can create a hesitant, tentative mood in a song, or can play with other chords in a song’s structure to produce a hopeful note (or string of notes blended together).

C7 Guitar Chord Finger Position: Three Ways to Play

The C7 chord is a variation on the standard C chord with one small addition - the seventh note, Bb. The addition of that one little flat note makes a big difference. Seventh chords can be swapped into a song when its root note chord doesn’t sound quite right, or you want to add an extra twist to the song. Substituting a C7 for a C chord won’t always work, but half the fun is in experimenting with different chords to develop a sound and style you love. One of the easiest ways to play the C7 chord is in the open position. This version only uses five of the six strings, but produces a strong, vibrant tone. To play it, place your index finger on the first fret of the second (B) string. Drop your middle finger onto the second fret of the fourth (D) string. Finally, place your ring finger on the third fret of the fifth (A) string and your ring finger on the third fret of the third (G) string. Omit the low E string and strum starting with the A chord.

C7 Open Position

Middle finger: 2nd fret of the D (4th) string

Ring finger: 3rd fret of the A (5th) string

Strum 5 strings down from the A (5th) string

While the open C7 produces the heartiest sound of the various versions of the chord, there are several other versions of the chord that take your playing to a “higher” level and tone. The third position variation of the C7 chord has a higher pitch, starting on the (you guessed it) third fret of the guitar neck. This version only uses four of the six strings, making it sound higher and thinner than the open version. To play it, start by placing your index finger on the third fret of the third (G) string. Stretch your ring finger down to the fifth fret of the fourth (D) string. Lastly, add your pinky finger to the fifth fret of the second (B) string. Strum from the D string downward.

C7 3rd Position

Index finger: 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string

Ring finger: 5th fret of the D (4th) string

Can you play Fur Elise on 61 key piano?

It's possible to play the first two movements of Fur Elise by Beethoven on a 61 key-keyboard, but the third and final movement will need at least...

Last updated May 26, 2021

How much is TakeLessons?

There are no monthly subscriptions costs for posting your profile on TakeLessons and getting started is 100% free. Feb 4, 2022

Last updated Jul 6, 2020

Promotion

Strum 3 strings down from the D(4th) string

One more version of the C7 chord takes it even further up the fretboard, beginning all the way down the neck on the 8th fret. This more advanced version requires you to mute the A string. Start by placing your index finger on the 8th fret of the low E string. Use that index finger to slightly butt up against the A string to mute it. Then, place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the D string. Finally, drop your middle finger down onto the 9th fret of the G string. Strum four strings down from the low E string, omitting the B and high E strings. When strumming, be sure to mute the A string, otherwise, you won’t get the true sound of a C7.

C7 8th Position

Index finger: 8th fret of the low E (6th) string

Middle finger: 8th fret of the D (4th) string

Ring finger: 9th fret of the G (3rd) string

Strum four strings down from the low E string while muting the A string.

What Notes Make Up the C7 Chord?

As mentioned before, the C7 chord is almost the same as the C chord, with one small difference: the addition of a Bb. The C7 chord is comprised of C, E, G and Bb notes. That seventh, flat note takes the C chord from its bright, airy sound to the slightly more wavering, tentative tone you hear when strumming a C7.

Songs that Use the C7 Chord

The C7 chord crops up in a variety of songs spanning a wide swath of genres. Here are just a few songs where you can hear - and play - the C7.

Rock Songs

The Beatles wove a sprightly C7 chord into one of their earliest hit songs, “From Me to You.” This chipper, harmony-laden song sees guitarist George Harrison playing a jaunty and jangly C7. It wouldn’t be the last time he’d incorporate the seventh chord into one of his arrangements. You can also listen for it on “Taxman,” “If You Believe” and “Something.”

Pop Songs

The pins-and-needles nature of the C7 chord makes an appearance on two pop classics: “Baby Love” by The Supremes and Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself.” On “Baby Love,” the C7 chord provides that “question mark” to what feels like a one-sided relationship. The chord also resonates with lonely heart Eric Carmen in his plea for love. But the C7 isn’t all hand-wringing and The C7 chord’s bouncy flipside can be heard on “Bare Necessities,” the Disney classic from The Jungle Book with “Baloo the Bear” on vocals. The song’s upbeat, sunny outlook on life is propelled forward by an array of dominant 7th chords, such as the G7, A7, E7, and D7 - with a few minor chords thrown in for good measure.

Does a keyboard have the same keys as a piano?

The arrangement of the keys on a keyboard is identical to the arrangement of the keys on a piano, and your hand and finger movements will be...

Last updated Aug 29, 2020

Do dogs like guitar music?

Dogs have been known to be very responsive to music, and many people believe that they can actually understand the emotions conveyed through song....

Last updated Dec 22, 2018

Promotion

One of the most recognizable songs of all time, “When the Saints Go Marching In” straddles the lines between gospel, pop, and jazz. Instantly evoking the feel of New Orleans, you don’t need a full horn section to see how the C7 chord gives this classic its punch. Incorporating bass note strumming - along with the chords themselves - makes this song a little more challenging and even more fun to try to play.

Blues Songs

The tenuous nature of the C7 chord aligns perfectly with the blues. Rev. Gary Davis puts the C7 chord to work in his “Hesitation Blues,” while Buddy Guy (like Eric Carmen) also calls upon the chord to make a case for romance on “Let Me Love You Baby.” A statement and a classic, Buddy Guy’s legendary song has been covered by fellow guitar luminaries like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck.

Country Songs

The C7 chord’s versatility is on full display within country music, with some of the genre’s most beloved artists using it in recognizable classics. Hank Williams - the original and founder of the Williams’ dynasty that’s been a staple of country from the 1950s to the present - includes the C7 on one of his biggest hits, “Hey Good Lookin’.” It stands alongside two other 7th chords (C7 and D7) as well as a C and F chord to create the definitive version of this classic that’s been covered by too many artists to count. Moving a little further down in country chronology, Conway Twitty uses the C7 chord on his plaintive “Hello Darlin’” to create an air of uneasiness when reuniting with an old lover. A staple of his catalog, Twitty would open his concerts with this song, acknowledging its status as a fan favorite and one of his signature songs. If you're not a member yet, sign up for a free trial here.

fender.com - C dominant 7th Guitar Chord | How to Play C7 Chord | Fender Play

Is Moonlight Sonata homophonic?

Its texture is homophonic because the chords accompany the dominating melody. There are elements of the work that are very enjoyable. The song was...

Last updated Mar 20, 2022

What are ivory piano keys worth?

Ivory keytops are not valuable. Because the trade in ivory is completely outlawed around the world, the keytops are not valuable. But even if it...

Last updated Aug 23, 2019

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Promotion

How long should you practice piano?

If you want to be a professional classical performer, you're looking at a minimum of 10 to 15 years of concentrated study with a master teacher,...

Last updated Sep 20, 2021

Promotion

What is the strongest white vinegar?

The strongest vinegar available in retail stores is 30%, but it is far too strong and should never be used. 20% or 200 grain is also available, but...

Last updated Jan 23, 2019