Now we'll check out some easy dominant 7th chords. Note that these are written with the chord pitch and then a "7", but I will often call then dominant chords, or dominant 7ths. The reason they are "dominant" is that they are usually found as the fifth chord in a key, which in classical terminology is called The Dominant Chord and it really draws back to the Tonic Chord (the first chord in a key). In classical music a V -> I Perfect Cadence is used to end a section of music but in modern pop and blues it is used a lot more freely...

For now, just get to grips with this cool new sound, don't worry about the theory or the why and how, that will come later...

Video Lesson

A7

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!

It is often confusing to people that a chord can be played different ways, but still have the same name. This first chord, A7, must have the notes A C# E and G. As long as a chord has those notes (in any order) it will be called an A7. The one shown below has the notes A E G C# E but other ways of playing A7 will have the notes in a different order and it makes no difference, the one using the 1st finger barre has the notes A E A C# G. They do sound different but because they have the same notes could be interchanged in a song easily. Which to choose? Well it just depends on what you think will sound best at the time!

D7

I kinda think of this as looking like a backwards D - see what I mean? Pretty easy one to play. Only common problem is letting the 2nd finger be too flat and it might mute the 2nd string. Just make sure you are using the tip of your finger to fret the note it'll be fine.

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

E7

Just the same as a regular E chord but take off your 3rd finger. Easy. Can be a little tricky to get the 4th string ringing out clearly, but being the only different note from regular E, it's very important that it rings clearly. You will probably get this by making sure you use the very tips of your first and third fingers.

Can also be done by leaving your E chord as normal but adding your little finger on the 3rd fret on the 2nd string (same notes, different order!).

Next up we are going to look at the notes that we use in music in BC-152 • The Note Circle.

HELP!!!!

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