Explore chords · Guitar
A 7th chord on guitar (A7)
Also called or written A7, A, A Dominant 7th or A Major Minor 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionA–C♯–E–GA7×-0-2-0-2-0
- First inversionC♯–E–G–AA7/C♯×-4-2-2-2-3
- Second inversionE–G–A–C♯A7/E0-0-2-0-2-0
- Third inversionG–A–C♯–EA7/G3-0-2-0-2-0
How do you play an A 7th chord on guitar?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
AdvancedThe open shape demands a clean mute on the low E string while fretting two strings, which is awkward for beginners.
Open · ×-0-2-0-2-3
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
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.
Other A chords
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.