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C Dominant 7th Guitar Chord (C7)

C Dominant 7th (C7) is built from C, E, G, Bb, which is the 1P - 3M - 5P - 7m formula measured from the root C. This page shows 6 fingerings with fretboard diagrams.

7th
Notes: C · E · G · BbIntervals: 1P – 3M – 5P – 7m

Fingerings for C7

C7A at fret 3, D at fret 3, G at fret 2
C7low E muted, A at fret 3, D at fret 2, B at fret 1
C7low E muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 3, B at fret 3
C7low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, B muted, high E muted
C7low E muted, A muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 2
C7low E muted, A muted, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 4, high E at fret 3

Notes in C7

  • C1P
  • E3M
  • G5P
  • Bb7m

How to play C7

C Dominant 7th Guitar Chord (C7) is tense and unresolved, which is what makes it want to move.

Beginner tip

Mute the strings you do not play — a dominant seventh with a ringing open string loses its pull.

Practice idea

Resolve it down a fifth to the tonic and listen for the tension release.

C7 FAQ

What notes are in C Dominant 7th?
C Dominant 7th (C7) contains C, E, G, Bb. In interval terms that is 1P - 3M - 5P - 7m above the root C.
How do you play C7 on guitar?
The most common shape here is "C7": A at fret 3, D at fret 3, G at fret 2.
Is C7 hard for beginners?
It sits in the seventh family. Mute the strings you do not play — a dominant seventh with a ringing open string loses its pull.

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