Dominant 7th chords have a very distinct sound a little bit more dissonant than the chords we have checked out. They are used a lot in blues and jazz. They have a quite dissonant sound, because they contain an extra note - the flattened 7th degree of the major scale! Don't worry about that for now - just play them and have fun :)

Remember there is a video at the bottom of the page showing you exactly what to be doing!!

A7 Chord

A7 Chord

Pretty straight forward chord this - only needs two fingers!

Use whatever fingers you want - it doesn't really matter - depends on what chord you are coming from and going to.

Use the fingering shown here to learn it, then change it later if you need to.

There are some other common alternative ways of playing this chord, this is just the one I think that you should check out first!


E7 Chord

E7 Chord

Just the same as a regular E chord but take off your 3rd finger. Easy.

Can also be done by leaving your E chord as normal but adding your little finger on the 3rd fret on the 2nd string.


C7 Chord

C7 Chord

Start with a regular C chord and add your little finger.

Try to mute the 6th string with the tip of your 3rd finger. It will make the chord sound better cos the low E makes the chord sound muddy, and also makes more room under your finger to try and let the note on the 4th string ring out clearly.


D7 Chord

D7 Chord

I kinda think of this as looking like a backwards D - see what I mean? Pretty easy one to play.

Remember not to hit the sixth and fifth strings - the 5th string is not too bad but the 6th string sounds awful!


B7 Chord

B7 Chord

Not a hard one to play but certainly a little different. Might take you a few goes to get to this chord but it is not a hard one in the end.

Check that your 2nd finger is muting the sixth string and that the second string is ringing out clearly and is not touched by the 3rd or 4th fingers. That is the hardest bit to get right for sure...


G7 Chord

G7 Chord

A bit of a finger stretcher, but not too bad. And sounds well cool in blues.

Start with your first finger and then stretch the other two fingers across. Keep it easy by remembering to keep your fingers round (like you are holding a ball) and use the tips of your fingers not the flats.

 

Where to?

Practice these up for a bit and then check out the next lesson to learn how to use them. Remember with new chords to strum - pick out the notes individually - make corrections - and then strum again. This is the most important stage in getting your chords clear.

Now you are ready to use them, right - on to BC-010 • Blues Rhythm Guitar

 

Video Lesson

 

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HELP!!!!

HELP

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