Chord chart for A dominant 7th / E (2nd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

A7/E guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 291 playable shapes

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A dominant 7th / E (2nd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A dominant 7th / E (2nd inversion)

A7/E is the A dominant 7th / E (2nd inversion) guitar chord with E in the bass. 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. With E in the bass, this voicing functions as the 2nd inversion of A dominant 7th.

Also written as A7 and Adom7/E.

Root note: A
Bass note: E
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 291

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 002020

002020

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 sixth, fifth, third, and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 002023

002023

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 sixth, fifth, and third strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th 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.

A7/E shape 002020

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 sixth, fifth, third, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A7/E shape 002023

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 sixth, fifth, and third strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A7/E shape 002223

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 sixth and fifth strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A7/E shape xx2223

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 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  4. 4 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

A7/E shape 042223

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 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A7/E shape 045055

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

A7/E shape 005650

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 sixth, fifth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A7/E shape 005655

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 sixth and fifth strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in A7/E?

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

What is another name for A7/E?

A7/E is also written as A7 and Adom7/E.

How do you play A7/E 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 sixth, fifth, third, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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