Also written F7, F or F Dominant 7th
F 7th contains F, A, C, and E♭. The default voicing places the ♭7 in the bass, creating a tense, top-heavy grip.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, giving it a dominant quality. The minor 7th interval between F and E♭ creates the tension that defines the chord. Compare it to F major, which uses a major 7th instead.
F 7th works as the V chord in B♭ major, resolving to B♭ major. Try the progression B♭–E♭–F–B♭, the I–IV–V–I in B♭ major. It suits blues, funk, and rock styles that rely on dominant tension.
The F7/E♭ inversion places the ♭7 in the bass, giving a darker, more unstable sound. The 5th fret position has F in the bass and is more stable. Choose the inversion based on whether you want the bass to lead or support.
F 7th is played at the 1st fret as 2 3 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the 1st string while the other fingers hold a close cluster.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (3) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | E♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (5) |
F 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 5 6: barre your index finger across fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (3) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (♭7) |
F 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 9 8 8: index finger on the G string at fret 8, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (1) |
F 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 11 12: index finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, middle finger on the E string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 2 | E♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (3) |
F 7th is written as F7 or F. It is also called Dominant 7th or Major Minor 7th.
F 7th has a minor 7th interval (E♭), while F major 7th has a major 7th (E). This changes the chord's quality from dominant to major 7th.
The tritone between A and E♭ creates dissonance that wants to resolve. This tension is characteristic of dominant 7th chords.
The 5th fret position uses a barre across all strings at the 5th fret, with the pinky on the 1st string 6th fret. The default voicing uses individual fingers.