What Is An A7 Guitar Chord? How to Play
A7 guitar chord is played as a dominant seventh chord, which implies that notes in the minor seventh interval (G) and the dominant note (E) of the A major scale are both used to complete the chord. This results in the creation of a very complex and sophisticated sound that simultaneously sounds major and minor.
The A7 chord’s notes comprise a perfect fifth, major third, minor seventh, and root. It effectively becomes an A chord when the root of a flat 7 is added. The chord A7 is very well-liked among guitarists and beginners. A, C#, E, and G are the constituent parts of it chord.
According to music theory, the dominant chords refer to a particular type of chord that produces a feeling of tension and ambiguity before resolving to the tonic. Therefore, the use of chords with the distinct-sounding dominant seventh chord can add a bit of intensity and vitality to a tune.
The A7 chord, one of the first guitar chords many guitarists learn, is especially popular. The peculiar tone of the A7 chord adds tension and interest to a musical piece. It is a major chord commonly used in a range of musical genres, including blues, jazz, and rock.
Two Different Ways to Play the A7 Guitar Chord
There are two ways to play an A7 chord, both of which make use of the common E tuning and are basic enough for a beginner to understand. Remember to practice and experiment with several fingerings to find the one that suits you best. The fingering you use may depend on the music you are playing and your personal playing style.
- A7 Chord With an Open A String:
When playing an A7 chord on a guitar, leaving the A string untethered and open results in what is commonly known as an “A7 chord with an open A string”. By leaving the A string open, it becomes an integral part of the chord, enhancing its overall sound quality with a fuller and more vibrant tone.
The open string version of the A7 chord is used in a variety of genres, including jazz, rock etc. The addition of this open string allows you to create richer and a more complex sound as it adds additional note to the chord.
You can play a version of the A7 chord on a guitar with the A string open by adhering to the steps listed below:
- You should place your first (index) finger on the second fret of the D string as the initial step.
- Make sure your middle finger is now resting on the second fret of the B string.
- Then, put your third (ring) finger on the G string’s second fret.
- Be careful to leave the A string open, which means that you shouldn’t put any finger on it.
- Last but not least, strum every string starting with the A string and going all the way down, being cautious not to play the low E string.
- A7 Chord Using a Barre:
This is another way ways you can play the A7 chord. Barre chords are a specific type of guitar chord in which one finger is used to simultaneously press down numerous strings around the fretboard, generating a “bar” that acts as a moveable nut. They are also known as bar chords or movable chords. Typically, the index finger forms the guitar chord’s bar, while the other fingers fret the other notes.
Your index finger can be used to play an A7 chord with a barre, while the other fingers are used to shape the chord’s contour by placing pressure on all six strings at one specific position or fretboard part. This contributes to the sound being clear and sharp.
The A7 chord using a barre is played in situations where you want to change chords quickly or when you want to play a chord progression which requires the use of barre chords.
Here is how to play an A7 chord using a barre:
- Put your first finger across every string on the fifth fret as the initial step.
- The second step entails placing your second finger on the third string’s sixth fret (G string).
- After that, put your third (ring) finger on the fifth string’s seventh fret (A string).
- The seventh fret of the fourth string is where your fourth finger should be placed (D string)
- Thereafter, strum each of the remaining strings starting with the fifth string.
Guitar Fretboard Chords Chart For a Dominant 7th Chord
A fretboard chords chart for a guitar shows the various chord types and finger positions at various places on the fretboard as a visual depiction of the guitar neck.
In addition to learning and memorization of chords and their variants, guitarists can use it to experiment with new guitar chord progressions and chord inversions. They may be able to play more skillfully, improve guitar chord vocabulary or learn a new note, and compose and write music more easily as a result.
The guitar fretboard chords chart for A dominant 7th chord with suggested finger positions on the guitar fretboard is shown below.
X O 1 O 2 O X O 1 O 2 3 X O 1 1 1 2 4 2 1 3 O 4 O 5 X O 1 2 1 O 5 1 O 2 3 4 O 5 X O 1 2 1 1 5 1
Songs That Use the A7 Chord
Since it may give a song a sense of tension and resolve, it is a versatile chord that is frequently used in place of the more common A major chord. Any aspiring guitarist or songwriter should be familiar with the A7 chord because this chord is often used in a variety of famous songs across numerous genres.
Let’s look at some of the most well-known songs that use the A7 chord. This list contains everything from traditional blues and rock songs to contemporary pop singles.
- “Before You Accuse Me” by Eric Clapton
- “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry
- “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins
- “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan
- “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
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Frequently Asked Questions
Playing the A7 guitar chord with an open string creates a fuller, more resonant sound while using a barre creates a tighter, more focused sound. Additionally, using a barre allows you to play the chord in different positions on the fretboard.
Yes, the A7 guitar chord can be substituted for other chords in certain chord progressions. For example, it can be used instead of an A major chord or an A minor chord in some progressions.
The strumming pattern for the A7 guitar chord will vary depending on the song or style of music you are playing. Experiment with different strumming patterns to find what sounds best for the music you are playing.
