Explore chords · Ukulele
A 7th chord on ukulele (A7)
Also called or written A7, A, A Dominant 7th or A Major Minor 7th
A 7th contains A, C♯, E, and G. The 2nd fret shape stretches all four fingers across four frets, making it a demanding grip for beginners.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
How do you play an A 7th chord on ukulele?
A 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 3 4: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (3) |
AdvancedThe 2nd fret shape requires a wide stretch from the index on the 4th string to the pinky on the 1st string, four frets apart.
A7/G inversion
A 7th is played at the 5th fret as 6 7 5 7: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, index finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (5) |
9th fret
A 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 9 10: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (♭7) |
A7/C♯ inversion
A 7th is played in open position as 0 1 0 0: index finger on the C string at fret 1. The G, E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
Why it sounds like that
A 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7 on the root A. The ♭7, G, is the interval that gives the chord its dominant pull. Compare it with A major, which stops at the major third and fifth.
What goes wrong with A 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse and deaden the 1st string.
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the 2nd string, muffling the E.
- Pressing the index too flat so the 4th string buzzes.
When to use it
A 7th is the V chord in D major, resolving to D major in the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. It also appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression D–A–Bm–G. Use A 7th for blues, rock, and folk tunes that need a dominant pull.
Changing to and from A 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives A♭ 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives B♭ 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret shape has A in the bass and is the fullest voicing. The A7/G inversion at the open position puts G in the bass and is easier to grab quickly. The A7/E inversion at the 9th fret has E in the bass and a barre across the 9th fret.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A 7th written?
A 7th is written as A7. The symbols A and A7 both refer to this chord. It is also called Dominant 7th or Major Minor 7th.
What is the difference between A 7th and A major?
A major contains A, C♯, and E. A 7th adds the ♭7, G, which creates tension that resolves to D major.
Can I play A 7th with open strings?
Yes, the A7/G inversion uses open strings: 0-1-0-0. That voicing has G in the bass and is easier for quick changes.