Guitar chord guide
C7 Guitar Chord
C7 adds a flat seventh to C major, creating tension that wants to resolve to F. It is a core sound in blues, early rock and dominant harmony.
Fingerings
How to play C7
Why this shape works
The added Bb on the G string changes the stable major triad into a chord with forward motion.
Clean fingering tip
Start from a normal C shape and add the fourth finger to the third fret of the G string.
Common mistake
Do not lift the first three fingers while adding the seventh. Build muscle memory by alternating C and C7 slowly.
Check every string
Pick from the lowest included string to the highest. A note should either ring clearly or be deliberately muted. Accidental half-muted strings are what make a chord feel weak.
Connected learning