Learn how to play the G dominant 7th chord – we have 5 variations, including an easy shape for beginners to get stuck into.
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In this post, you’re going to learn how to play the G7 guitar chord in five different ways.
You’ll learn where to place your fingers and how to practice the shapes so you can quickly play G7 in your favourite songs.
Let’s drop it like it’s hot.
G7 Is Short For G Dominant 7
The G7 chord is almost identical to the G Major chord, apart from it has an extra note added on.
That being the case, because the G Major chord notes are G, B, and D, the G7 chord contains these notes with an F note joining the party.
It’s important you understand that G7 actually means “G dominant seventh”.
The name dominant seventh tells us an extra scale degree – the flat seventh (b7) – is added onto a Major triad (chord), as we just touched upon.
Dominant Seventh Sound
You’ll come across chords such as G7, D7, C7, etc. in many styles of music. A few examples include Classical, Blues and Country.
So, how different does the dominant 7 chord sound from its Major chord colleague? If we describe Major chords as sounding upbeat (and minor chords as sad), dominant seventh chords sound like they’re asking a question that needs to be answered.
Expectant sounding – almost on the verge of restless – dominant 7th chords, therefore sound excellent played before a more stable chord, such as the Major triad tonic of a key.
(See below an example chord progression featuring the G7 chord.)
G7 Chord Notations
G7 | G dom 7 | G dominant 7th | G dominant seventh
G7 Chord Theory Facts x 5
- The G7 chord contains the notes: G – B – D – F.
- We typically build a dominant seventh chord from the fifth degree (note) of a Major scale. For instance, G is the fifth note of the C Major scale, so this scale gives us the G7 chord.
- The G7 chord formula is: 1 – b3 – 5 – b7.
- The intervals of a dominant seventh chord are root > Major third > perfect fifth > minor seventh.
- In blues, G7 appears as the V chord in the i – IV – V chord progression in the key of C Major: C7-F7-G7.
Let’s get down to business and check out the G7 chord shapes.
Good to Know
I show the best fingerings in the finger position circles in the chord diagrams below. The chord notes are shown below the boxes with the G root highlighted in blue.
Shape 1 – The Open G7 Shape
There are no two ways about it; this first G7 chord shape is the most common voicing guitarists use.
You play all six strings in this chord, and if you’re used to playing the standard open G Major shape, I’ll hedge a bet you won’t have too much trouble here:
Open G7 chord shape
Here are the finger positions:
- First (index) finger – 1st fret of the top E (1st) string
- Second (middle) finger – 2nd fret of the A (5th) string
- Third (ring) finger – 3rd fret of the low E (6th) string
Pro Tip
To avoid muting the strings when you play this G7 shape, it's all about making sure your fingers are curved over enough, and you apply optimum pressure to your fingertips.
Give yourself time to build up the muscle and motor memory needed to get the chord ringing out consistently clean.
Shape 2 – The Easy G7 Alternative Shape
Here’s an easy beginner variation of the G7 guitar chord before we get to the other full shapes.
If you look at the notes below the chord chart that follows, you’ll see this shape only includes the G (root), B (3rd), and F (b7th) notes.
We’re missing the 5th (D), so bear in mind this shape won’t sound as full and warm as the other G7 shapes. Be sure to mute the 6th, 2nd and 1st strings when you play this voicing.
Easy G7 chord variation
Finger positions:
- First (index) finger – 9th fret of the D (4th) string
- Second (middle) finger – 10th fret of the A (5th) string
- Third (ring) finger – 10th fret of the G (3rd) string
Shape 3 – G7 Chord “E Shape”
Below is a common way to play the G7 chord using the open E7 chord shape moved up the neck. The theory behind this lies in the CAGED System.
To play this shape, you form a barre with your first finger across strings 6-1 and place your middle and ring fingers on strings five and three, as shown below:
G7 guitar chord using the E7 shape
Finger placements:
- First (index) finger – 1st fret of the low E (6th) string & barre across strings 6-1
- Second (middle) finger – 4th fret of the G (3rd) string
- Third (ring) – 5th fret of the A (5th) string
To ensure you’re not punching above your weight, I advise you only to attempt this Gdom7 chord voicing once you can cleanly play the more straightforward variations.
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Shape 4 – G7 Chord “D-Shape”
Here’s a corker of a way to play the G7 chord. Often overlooked for other chord voicings, if you’re familiar with the open D7 chord shape, that is what we’re using to form this movable G7 voicing.
Have a gander:
G7 chord played using the D7 shape
These are the finger placements:
- First (index) finger – 5th fret of the D (4th) string
- Second (middle) finger – 6th fret of the B (2nd) string
- Third (ring) finger – 7th fret of the G (3rd) string
- Little (pinky) finger – 7th fret of the top E (1st) string
All you do is move the D7 shape up the neck, switch your fingers around so your index finger is free to finger the G root note on the 5th fret of the D string etc.
Good to Know
Beginners won't find this shape easy to play due to the stretch and angle of the fretting hand required. If you fall into this category, put it on your "to-do" list for the future, and focus on the easier shapes first. 🙌
Shape 5 – G7 Chord “A-Shape”
We base this final G7 variation on the open A7 chord shape. If you’ve been playing the guitar for a while, I’m sure you’ve learned the A7.
If you haven’t, I recommend you first learn the original A7 shape. Doing this will give you more context and visual understanding of the origins of the shape.
Pro Tip
Here's a word to the wise: don't rush into barre chords until you've got those basic open chord shapes down. Trust me, attempting barre chords without the finger strength, speed, and coordination from mastering the basics is a recipe for frustration. 🥴
G7 chord – “A shape”
Finger placements:
- First (index) finger – 10th fret of the A (5th) string & barre strings 5-1
- Third (ring) finger – 12th fret of the D (4th) string
- Pinky (fourth) – 12th fret of the B (2nd) string
To mute the low E string, it’s best to use the tip of your index finger. Be careful not to touch the 6th string since it’s not played in this chord.
In Summary
How’s that then? You’ve just learned five different ways to play the G7 chord on your guitar. Be sure to check out our other essential chord guides below.
Toodle pip for now.
