Explore chords · Guitar
G 7th chord on guitar (G7)
Also called or written G7, G, G Dominant 7th or G Major Minor 7th
G 7th contains G, B, D, and F. The open shape uses all six strings, with the root on the low E string and a bright, ringing sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionG–B–D–FG73-2-0-0-0-1
- First inversionB–D–F–GG7/B×-2-0-0-0-1
- Second inversionD–F–G–BG7/D×-×-0-0-0-1
- Third inversionF–G–B–DG7/F1-2-0-0-0-1
How do you play a G 7th chord on guitar?
G 7th is played in open position as 3 2 0 0 0 1: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The D, G and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
AdvancedThe open shape is easy to fret but requires a clean strum across all six strings without muting any.
Open · 3-2-0-0-3-1
G 7th is played in open position as 3 2 0 0 3 1: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 2, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
Open · 3-2-3-0-3-×
G 7th is played in open position as 3 2 3 0 3 ×: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The G string rings open. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
3rd fret
G 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 4 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 5 and ring finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
5th fret
G 7th is played at the 5th fret as × × 5 7 6 7: index finger on the D string at fret 5, ring finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the B string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7. 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) | 5 | 1 | G (1) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (5) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (3) |
Why it sounds like that
G 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, adding a minor seventh to the G major triad. The ♭7 creates the dominant pull that defines the chord. Compare it with G major, which stops at the major third and fifth.
What goes wrong with G 7th?
- Touching the open D string with the fretting hand, muting it.
- Letting the high E string buzz by not pressing firmly enough.
- Strumming too hard and causing the open strings to rattle.
When to use it
G 7th is the V chord in C major, appearing in progressions like C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). It suits blues, rock, and country. Resolve it to C major.
Changing to and from G 7th
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 1st fret to play F 7th.
- Move to C major by lifting the ring finger and placing the index on the B string, 1st fret, while keeping the other fingers.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the easiest and keeps the root on the low E string. The 3rd fret barre shape adds the A string for a fuller sound. The 5th fret shape is a compact four-string voicing for higher-register comping.
Other G chords
Common questions
Why does G 7th sound so bluesy?
G 7th's ♭7 (F) clashes gently with the major third (B), creating the tension that blues and rock rely on. This interval is the heart of the dominant sound.
How does G 7th differ from G major?
G 7th adds an F note, the minor seventh, to the G major triad. That note gives the chord its dominant tension.
Can I play G 7th as a barre chord?
Yes, the 3rd fret barre shape is a moveable voicing with the root on the low E string. It is useful for higher positions.