A7 Guitar Chord

12

A7

NameA dominant 7
NotesAC#EG
IntervalsRroot3major 3rd55thb7flat 7th

Root

Chord type

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Shape

Tone

Dots show

A7 is A major with the G string left open, which adds the flat 7th. Two fingers, and very bluesy.

How to play the A7 chord

  1. Don't play the low E string.
  2. Put your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (E).
  3. Put your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the B string (C#).
  4. Let the A, G and high E strings ring open (A, G, E).
  5. Strum from the A string down, skipping the string above it.

TipKeep both fingers arched so the open G string between them rings.

5 ways to play A7

Every shape below is a real A7, checked note by note: A, C#, E, G and nothing else. Easiest first, with the dark dot on the root.

A7 chord diagram, open: x 0 2 0 2 0
Open EasyWith sound The one most players learn first. This is the shape you hear on the play button.
A7 chord diagram, barre, 5th fret: 5 7 5 6 5 5
Barre, 5th fret Medium Root on the low E string. It's the open E7 shape moved up with your 1st finger as the nut, so you can slide it to any dominant 7 chord.
A7 chord diagram, 7th fret: x x 7 9 8 9
7th fret Medium 4 strings, root on the D string. Higher and lighter, great for a second guitar part.
A7 chord diagram, 10th fret: x 12 11 12 10 x
10th fret Medium The open C7 shape moved up, root on the A string. A fuller sound, but a stretch.
A7 chord diagram, barre, 12th fret: x 12 14 12 14 12
Barre, 12th fret Medium Root on the A string. The open A7 shape moved up with a barre, a movable shape for any dominant 7 chord.

A vs A7: hear the difference

A7 is A plus G (the flat 7th). Play them back to back:

A7

AC#EG

Bluesy and restless

A

AC#E

Bright and settled

Chord progressions with A7

Chords make sense once you move between them. Press play to hear each progression with the real recordings, one chord per bar, then play along. Tap any chord to open its page.

Blues shuffle

I7 - IV7 - I7 - V7 in A
A7 D7 A7 E7
In the blues every chord is a 7.

The V7 going home

I - IV - V7 - I in D
D G A7 D
A dominant 7 wants to resolve to the chord a 5th below.

Minor key V7

i - iv - V7 - i in D minor
Dm Gm A7 Dm
The same pull, in a minor key.

Practice changing to A7

Switching chords cleanly is what makes a new chord usable in a song. Start the timer, then go back and forth between A7 and the chord you picked, strumming each one, and keep a count in your head. Your hands stay on the guitar the whole time. When it beeps, type in your count and try to beat it next time.

A7 to D7

60seconds

-last try

-your best

Practice A7 with

Songs that use A7

  • Yesterday by The BeatlesVerse F-Em7-A7-Dm
  • Margaritaville by Jimmy BuffettVerse D-A-A7-D
  • Breathe by Pink FloydVerse alternates Em-A7
  • Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim CroceVerse G-A7-B7-C

Learn it with a teacher

Diagrams show you where your fingers go. A teacher shows you how to make it sound good. Start with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

Blues Basics - The Chords Free with an account · Chris Feener Chord Changes for Beginners - Transitions Free with an account · Chris Feener Mastering Bar Chords - Introduction Free with an account · Chris Feener

Access these lessons with a free account. No payment needed. Sign up free

Chords that go with A7

D7dominant 7E7dominant 7DmajorGmajorDmminorGmminor

Other A chords

AmajorAmminorAmaj7major 7Am7minor 7Asus4suspended 4A7sus47 suspended 4A5power chordA6major 6Am6minor 6A9dominant 9AaugaugmentedAdim7diminished 7

Other dominant 7 chords

C7C E G BbC#7C# E# G# BD7D F# A CEb7Eb G Bb DbE7E G# B DF7F A C EbF#7F# A# C# EG7G B D FAb7Ab C Eb GbBb7Bb D F AbB7B D# F# A

See all 154 chords in the Guitar Chord Chart

A7 chord FAQ

What notes are in an A7 chord?

A7 has 4 notes: A (the root), C# (the major 3rd), E (the 5th) and G (the flat 7th). Every A7 shape on the guitar is those notes in a different order.

What is the difference between A and A7?

A7 is A plus G (the flat 7th). Use the player above to hear both.

Is A7 hard to play?

No, it's one of the easier ones: 2 fingers and no barre, and the open strings do some of the work. Practice switching to it from a chord you already know.

How do you play A7 as a barre chord?

Barre the 5th fret with your 1st finger, using the E shape (5-7-5-6-5-5). That shape is movable: slide it up or down and it plays a dominant 7 chord on every fret.

What key is A7 in?

It's the V7 chord in D major and D minor, and the I7 chord in a blues in A.