G7 chords are one of the first ukulele chords you should learn to play, as they’re easy to master and present a staple for beginner songs.
A dominant 7th chord adds one tone to a major triad, or the 1st, 3rd and 5th intervals of a scale.
D7
Many tutor books and beginner ukulele courses encourage beginners to master the D7 chord as part of their first step toward playing blues songs, like those found in classics like “Why I Sing the Blues”. It can be heard throughout classic blues albums such as this.
The D7 chord is a dominant seventh chord, which uses the traditional formula for major or minor chords with the addition of its 7th note from scale – creating tension in its entirety and acting as an important musical feature to keep an eye out for.
D7 chords may seem complex at first, due to their additional interval, but once you grasp how the ukulele fretboard works with semitones between each white note, they become easier to recognise which notes make up each chord and where to place your fingers.
You’ll often see D7 chord shapes omit the root note to reduce its size or because another instrument (such as vocalist’s voices ) are providing it instead.
G7
This chord, also known as a minor seventh chord, contains G, B and D notes. It can be used in all keys with its slight dissonance creating tension within music – typically used in blues songs but applicable across genres as well.
Diminished 7th chords are another variation on the 7th chord that are frequently encountered, formed from taking a major triad and adding an inverted 7th interval – typically written as M7 or m7 for easy reference.
This chord is easy to play on ukulele and requires no barre or finger 1 as a fretting finger. It can be played using either string 2 or 3, fret 1 or 2, fret 1. This chord can be found widely used across songs spanning C, F and A scales, making it great for transitions, short riffs or brief moments of tension within songs.
F7
An F7 chord consists of an F major triad and an interval of a seventh above its root, usually denoted as an interval or minor 7th (b7 in shorthand). Other types of sevenths may also be added for further variations.
Always have a chromatic scale chart handy to help count intervals on the fret board and when creating ukulele triads and chords. Remember that every fret position represents one semitone – for instance an F note on an open G string is actually C# at its fifth fret while an E note on an open D string becomes F# on its fifth fret.
F7 chords are an indispensable element of blues music and can add an air of tension and professionalism to guitar progressions. Mastering these one chord will become a powerful asset that will enhance the sound of your songs.
C7
G7 and C7 chords are among the first chords beginners are advised to learn, often being featured in songs and tutor books designed specifically for beginning musicians. These dominant seventh chords (which combine a major triad with an additional flat seventh) are known as dominant seventh chords and offer great opportunities for musical development.
This flat seventh chord serves as a dominant chord with an inherent tendency towards either resolution down a fifth or up four fourths – acting like a signpost chord that directs listeners towards one path or another.
Keep in mind that each fret on a ukulele represents a semitone distance. So chords with sharped thirds (such as C7) have flattened fifths; vice versa. This creates a chord sounding distinct from major chords but not so drastically that playing becomes impossible; your ears recognize the arrangement of notes so progression still sounds familiar.
Seventh chords provide a creative way to add new hues and depth to standard guitar chords. Constructed using tertian chords that can either be major or minor with an added seventh note, seventh chords add vibrancy to simple strumming arrangements.
The guitar shapes included here are moveable, meaning that they can be adjusted up and down the fretboard for altered chord qualities allowing you to use them in any genre of music.
Open C7
This open C7 variation, or “C dominant seventh chord”, is similar to your standard C Major chord with one addition – an added flat 7. This subtle change creates a subdued brightness which can help you create uncertain or uncertain environments in songs.
Country classics by Hank Williams (“Hey Good Lookin'”) and Eric Carmen (“All by Myself”) showcase this chord’s disquieting, dissonant tone.
Open D7
This open D7 chord provides an easy way to add dominant 7ths into your guitar toolkit. Commonly referred to as D Dom, this shape can be found across many musical genres.
Barre your index finger on the first fret and strum all six strings simultaneously, muteding only the thinnest string with part of your pinky to achieve full sound. Practice by playing songs like The Monkees’ Daydream Believer for an uplifting pop hit experience.
Open E7
E7 chord is a widely used dominant seventh chord that can be found in blues and other musical genres, sometimes known as E Dominant 7th (E Dom).
This chord can be played several different ways. One way is using an open E chord shape with two additional frets moved upwards for added difficulty; however, this form may be easier for beginners.
Open G7
The G7 chord’s warm tone makes it a popular choice in songs across genres. From Blue Oyster Cult’s iconic guitar riff in “Don’t Fear the Reaper” to Coldplay’s soothing piano progression in “The Scientist”, its warm tonality can produce any sound ranging from folk, reggae and even funk!
This open G Major chord utilizes the same fingerings as its regular counterpart but adds an F note into its composition. Try practicing this shape all across your fret board in order to develop dexterity and speed!
Open A7
The open A7 chord is an ideal way to give your songs an upbeat vibe. Its mixture of optimism and melancholy can be heard in folk songs such as “Amazing Grace,” as well as those performed by American rock pioneer Buddy Holly or British Invasion artists like the Beatles; country songs including Roy Rogers & Dale Evans classic “Happy Trails” also employ this chord, so why not learn how to use its barring technique with our beginner-friendly A7 guitar chord video!
Open B7
The B7 chord is one of the first chords learned by beginner guitar players. As a dominant seventh chord, it adds power and impact to songs across genres and musical genres.
The open B7 chord in the diagram is a moveable barre chord, meaning you can shift its position up and down fretboard for multiple voicing options. Give this a try while listening to “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones for some great results!
Open Ab7
An open Ab7 chord is a type of dominant 7 chord composed of the notes Ab, C and Eb. This chord can either be played as a barre chord, but also using your index finger barred across the 4th fret and your ring finger placed on the fifth (A) string adjacent.
Although commonly considered to be “flat”, the Ab chord (G#) has an uptempo sound that pairs nicely with rock songs such as Deep Purple’s “Hush.” See it in action by watching their video for “Hush.”