How to Build C7 Chords on the Guitar

The C7 is a lot like the C major chord, in that it uses three notes. The first or "base" note C, the third note, E, and the fifth, G. The difference is that the fifth is replaced by a flattened seventh to create the C7. Here's how to build the most common form of an open C7 chord.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Leave the bottom E string alone. We don't use the bottom string for a C major chord because we want to start with the C "base" note.
2. Put your ring finger on the third fret of the A string (second string from bottom). This will give you your base note, a C.
3. Add your middle finger on the second fret of the string above A, the D string. This gives you an E, your third scale note.
4. Put your index finger on the first fret of the B string (second string from top) to give you another C note, reinforcing your first scale note.
5. Add your pinkie finger to the third fret of the G string (fourth string from bottom). This means you're replacing the fifth (G) with your seventh scale note, B, flattened to a B flat.
6. Leave the top E string open. That's your E, your third scale note, again.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare the sound of your C7 to a regular C major by taking your pinkie finger on and off of the fret mentioned above, on the G string. Learn to hear the difference between the normal C major sound and the specific sound created by flatting the seventh of the chord. This will help you when you look at sheet music or chord-marked lyrics with a C or a C7 listed in the margin.