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How to Do C7 on the Guitar

The dominant C 7th chord should be a staple of your guitar-playing arsenal. This simple chord appears in all types of music, and it's a common fixture in blues progressions. The C7 is made up of C and E from the C major scale, along with a B flat note. The dominant C 7th utilizes five of the guitar's six strings, making it a practical tool with which novice musicians can rehearse songwriting and performance techniques.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place your ring finger on the third fret on the A string, which is the second-to-lowest string on your guitar. This will create a C note.

    • 2

      Put your middle finger on the second fret on the D string for an E note. The D string is the third-to-lowest string.

    • 3

      Hold your pinkie finger on the third fret on the G string -- the third-to-highest -- for the B-flat note.

    • 4

      Press your index finger down on the first fret on the B string, which is second-to-highest on your guitar. This will make another C note.

    • 5

      Play the open high E string to complete the C7 chord. Strum the guitar without hitting the low E string.

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