Tools / Chords / A 7th

A 7th chord on guitar (A7)

Also written A7, A or A Dominant 7th

A 7th contains A, C♯, E, and G. The open shape is a stretch across five strings, yet it keeps the root on the fifth string.

Open · ×-0-2-0-2-0×-0-2-0-2-0

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

A1Root

C♯3Major 3rd

E5Perfect 5th

G♭7Minor 7th

Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionA–C♯–E–GA7Bass A

First inversionC♯–E–G–AA7/C♯Bass C♯

Second inversionE–G–A–C♯A7/EBass E

Third inversionG–A–C♯–EA7/GBass G

Why it sounds like that

A 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, adding a minor seventh to the A major triad. The ♭7 creates the dominant pull that defines the chord. Compare it with A major, which stops at the major third and fifth.

What goes wrong with A 7th?

Letting the low E string ring, which adds an unintended bass note below the root.
Pressing the B string too hard and bending it sharp.
Muting the open G string with the fretting hand.

When to use it

A 7th is the V chord in D major, appearing in progressions like D–G–A–D (I–IV–V–I). It suits blues, rock, and country rhythm playing. Use it to lead back to D major.

Changing to and from A 7th

Move to D major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the high E string, 2nd fret.
Slide the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret to play G 7th.

Which voicing to use

The open position keeps the bass on A and is the easiest to grab. The 5th fret barre shape offers a fuller sound with the root on the low E string. The 7th fret shape is a compact four-string voicing for higher-register comping.

How do you play an A 7th chord on guitar?

Open · ×-0-2-0-2-0

Beginner● On the diagram

A 7th is played in open position as × 0 2 0 2 0: index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the B string at fret 2. The A, G and high e strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.

Tip — The open shape demands a clean mute on the low E string while fretting two strings, which is awkward for beginners.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	open	—	A (1)
4 (D)	2	1	E (5)
3 (G)	open	—	G (♭7)
2 (B)	2	2	C♯ (3)
1 (e)	open	—	E (5)

Open · ×-0-2-0-2-3

Beginner

A 7th is played in open position as × 0 2 0 2 3: index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and G strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	open	—	A (1)
4 (D)	2	1	E (5)
3 (G)	open	—	G (♭7)
2 (B)	2	2	C♯ (3)
1 (e)	3	3	G (♭7)

Open · ×-0-2-2-2-3

Barre

A 7th is played in open position as × 0 2 2 2 3: barre your index finger across fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	open	—	A (1)
4 (D)	2	1 (barre)	E (5)
3 (G)	2	1 (barre)	A (1)
2 (B)	2	1 (barre)	C♯ (3)
1 (e)	3	4	G (♭7)

5th fret

Barre

A 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 6 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 7 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	5	1 (barre)	A (1)
5 (A)	7	4	E (5)
4 (D)	5	1 (barre)	G (♭7)
3 (G)	6	3	C♯ (3)
2 (B)	5	1 (barre)	E (5)
1 (e)	5	1 (barre)	A (1)

7th fret

Intermediate

A 7th is played at the 7th fret as × × 7 9 8 9: index finger on the D string at fret 7, ring finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the B string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	muted	—	—
4 (D)	7	1	A (1)
3 (G)	9	3	E (5)
2 (B)	8	2	G (♭7)
1 (e)	9	4	C♯ (3)

Common questions

Why does A 7th sound bluesy?

A 7th's ♭7 (G) clashes gently with the major third (C♯), creating the tension that blues and rock rely on. This interval is the heart of the dominant sound.

Can I play A 7th with the low E string fretted at the 5th fret?

Yes, that gives the 5th fret barre shape with A on the low E string. It is a moveable voicing that works anywhere on the neck.

How is A 7th different from A major?

A 7th adds a G note, the minor seventh, to the A major triad. That single note changes the chord from stable to restless.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (1)

4 (D)

E (5)

3 (G)

open

—

G (♭7)

2 (B)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

open

—

E (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (1)

4 (D)

E (5)

3 (G)

open

—

G (♭7)

2 (B)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

G (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (1)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

E (5)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

A (1)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

G (♭7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

A (1)

5 (A)

E (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

G (♭7)

3 (G)

C♯ (3)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

E (5)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

A (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

A (1)

3 (G)

E (5)

2 (B)

G (♭7)

1 (e)

C♯ (3)