A7 Chord On The Guitar (A Dominant 7) – Diagrams, Finger Positions and Theory

The A7 (A dominant 7) chord contains the notes A, C#, E and G. It is produced by taking the root (1), 3, 5 and b7 of the A Major scale. It is essentially an A chord, with an added flat 7.

A7 is a very common chord for guitarists. The open A7 chord is very popular, and one of the first chords that many guitarists learn. Many Blues songs are in the key of A and use A7 as the main chord.

A7 is short for A dominant 7. The dominant 7 chord is a significant chord, because it plays a very important function in any given key.

The dominant 7 chord functions as a chord that resolves to the first chord in a key. For example, the A dominant 7 chord resolves the D Major chord (which is the first chord in the key of D)

10 Ways To Play The A7 Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for A7, here they are.

A7 Chord 10 Shapes

Some Quick A7 Chord Theory

  • The A7 chord contains the notes A, C# E and G.
  • A7 is short for A dominant 7.
  • The A7 chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), 3, 5 and b7 of the A Major scale.
  • The A7 is the fifth chord in the key of D. It resolves naturally to the D Major chord.
  • The A7 chord (just like all dominant 7 chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): major 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tone (which leads back to the root note).
  • The A mixolydian mode can be used when soloing over the A dominant 7 chord.

Further Reading

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