Also written G7, G or G Dominant 7th
G 7th contains G, B, D, and F. This open shape uses three fingers and has no muted strings, giving a bright dominant sound.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from G to F creates the dominant quality, and the diminished 5th between B and F adds tension. Compare with G major to hear the difference.
G 7th is the V chord in C major, resolving to C major in progressions like C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). Use it in blues, jazz, and folk for a classic dominant pull. It also works over G major and G 5th riffs.
The open G7/D inversion is the default and has D in the bass. The 7th fret barre shape has G in the bass and a fuller sound for strumming. The G7/B inversion at frets 10-11-10-10 puts B in the bass and suits fingerpicking.
G 7th is played in open position as 0 2 1 2: middle finger on the C string at fret 2, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string rings open.
Tip — The open G7 shape has no barre and no muted strings, but the three fingers must fret cleanly without touching the open G string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (3) |
G 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 5 3 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (5) |
G 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 7 8: barre your index finger across fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (♭7) |
G 7th is played at the 10th fret as 10 11 10 10: index finger on the G string at fret 10, pinky finger on the C string at fret 11, middle finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 4 | B (3) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (1) |
G 7th is played in open position as 0 5 7 5: index finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 5. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (5) |
G 7th is written as G7. It is also called Dominant 7th or Major Minor 7th.
G7 has a minor 7th (F), while Gmaj7 has a major 7th (F♯). The minor 7th gives G7 its dominant, bluesy tension. Gmaj7 sounds smoother and more resolved.
The lowest sounding note is the E string at fret 1, which is D. The open G string is higher in pitch due to reentrant tuning. This makes the chord an inversion rather than root position.
Yes, G7 often substitutes for G major in blues and rock to add a dominant flavor. In C major progressions, G7 strengthens the pull back to C. In other contexts, the added F may clash with the melody.