Chord chart for A7 Guitar Chord (A dominant 7th): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

A dominant 7th guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 229 playable shapes

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A dominant 7th guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A dominant 7th guitar chord

A7 is the A dominant 7th guitar chord. It uses the notes A, C♯, E, and G and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7.

The A dominant 7th dominant 7th chord, formed by adding a minor seventh G to the major triad, creates tension that seeks resolution, typically to the tonic. The combination of the major third C♯ and minor seventh G provides a bluesy, soulful feel, making it essential in jazz, blues, and classical cadences.

Also written as Adom7.

Root note: A
Quality: dominant 7th
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 229

Chord tones

AC♯EG

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x02020

x02020

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Let the fifth, third, and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x02023

x02023

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the fifth and third strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

C♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

E Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

G Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

A dominant 7th shape x02020

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth, third, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape x02023

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and third strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape x02223

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape 545050

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the third and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape x05650

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape 505650

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape x05655

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A dominant 7th shape 575655

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in A7?

A7 uses the notes A, C♯, E, and G. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7.

What is another name for A7?

A7 is also written as Adom7.

How do you play A7 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string. Let the fifth, third, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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