C7 Guitar Chord

Looking for C#7 (C♯7)? →

C7 is a dominant 7th chord made of C · E · G · B♭. Major triad + minor 7th — tension that wants to resolve to the next chord. The standard shape is an open chord: x32310 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

Open chord · x32310

Fret 3 barre · root on 5th string · x35353

Fret 8 barre · root on 6th string · 8-10-8-9-8-8 · from fret 8

Index finger on string 2 (B), fret 1.
Middle finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
Ring finger on string 5 (A), fret 3.
Pinky finger on string 3 (G), fret 3.
Let string 1 ring open.
Don't play string 6 (or mute lightly).
Strum down from string 5.

C7 guitar chord chart — open chord x32310 and 2 more shapes — All C7 shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

C
rootE
3rdG
5thB♭
7th

Play it easier with a capo

Capo on fret 1 + B7 shape → sounds as C7
Capo on fret 3 + A7 shape → sounds as C7
Capo on fret 5 + G7 shape → sounds as C7

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Try it: capo on

Scales that fit

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C6 Cm6 Csus4 Csus2 C7sus4 Cdim Cdim7 Cm7b5 Caug Cadd9 C9 Cm9 Cmaj9

Dominant 7th chords in other keys

C7 C♯7 D7 E♭7 E7 F7 F♯7 G7 A♭7 A7 B♭7 B7

FAQ

What notes are in the C7 chord?

The C7 chord is made of C, E, G, B♭. Major triad + minor 7th — tension that wants to resolve to the next chord.

What's the easiest way to play C7 on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is x32310 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 1 and play a B7 shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over C7?

C mixolydian or C blues fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).