Learn to play the A7 chord

Are you looking to improve your guitar skills? Adding the A7 chord to your repertoire is a great way to level up your playing. In this article, we’ll break down the A7 chord, show you how to play it, and give tips for practicing new chords.

The basics of the A dominant seventh chord

If you’re just starting out on the guitar, the first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the names of the guitar strings. Once you have a good grasp of the string names, the next step is to practice some basic guitar chords, like A, G, C, and D.

Practicing chords regularly helps build finger strength, coordination, and muscle memory, which are crucial as you progress toward playing seventh chords.

The main difference between A major and A7 is that the A7 is a seventh chord, which is formed by adding a fourth note to the basic three-note chord. The additional note in A7 is the minor seventh (G) note. Listen to the two chords one after the other and you’re sure to hear the difference.

These are the notes in the A dominant seventh chord:

• A: root note
• C#: major third
• E: perfect fifth
• G: minor seventh

How to play the A7 chord on guitar

Now that you’re familiar with the notes in A7, the next step is to learn how to position your fingers on the guitar. Luckily, the A7 chord is a very beginner-friendly way to start learning seventh chords.

Here’s the most common and simplest way to play the A7 chord using five strings. You’ll fret two strings and leave the other three open:

• 4th string (D): Place your index finger on the 2nd fret.
• 2nd string (B): Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret.
• 1st, 3rd, and 5th strings (high E, G, and A): Play these three strings open.
• 6th string (low E): Do not play this string.

How to play the A7 barre chord

Once you’re comfortable with the open A7 chord, you can take your playing to the next level by learning the A7 barre chord. Barre chords are easy to move, which allows you to use the same chord shape in different positions on the fretboard.

Here’s how to play an A7 barre chord, using the 5th fret as your starting point:

1. Index finger (barre): Place your index finger across all six strings on the 5th fret. Press firmly just above the fret line to ensure every string rings clearly.
2. Ring finger: Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the A string (5th string).
3. Middle finger: Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the G string (3rd string).

Strum all strings and make sure every string sounds clean. If there is any buzzing or muting, adjust finger pressure. Here’s the guitar chord chart for the A7 barre chord:

Master the A7 chord: 4 common mistakes to avoid

Learning a new chord takes time and practice. To speed up your learning, here are four common mistakes to avoid when playing the A7 chord on the guitar:

• Do not mute strings: It’s easy to accidentally mute strings that should be played when learning nearly any chord on the guitar. With the A7 chord, only the low E string should be muted. The other five strings should ring out clearly. Be mindful of your finger placement to avoid muting strings.
• Don’t rush through chord changes: Take your time to practice transitions and make sure each note rings clearly. Switching too quickly between chords can make your playing sound sloppy. Practice chord transitions and speed up gradually.
• Don’t place your fingers too far from the frets: Pressing your fingers too far from the frets may result in buzzing or cause the chord to sound weak. Position your finger just behind the frets, not directly on top or right between two frets. This ensures a cleaner tone with less effort.
• Don’t put too much pressure: While it’s important to press firmly, pressing too hard can make the notes sound sharp and strain your hand. Use just enough pressure to produce a clear sound without unnecessary effort.

Popular songs for practicing the A7 chord

A great way to learn the A7 chord on the guitar is by playing popular songs that use it. Here are some popular songs that use the A7 chord:

• “American Pie”, made famous by Don McLean
• “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”, made famous by The Rolling Stones
• “Twist And Shout”, made famous by The Beatles
• “Every Breath You Take”, made famous by The Police
• “Heartbreak Hotel”, made famous by Elvis Presley

Learn to play more guitar chords with Yousician

Yousician helps you master the A7 chord with fun and interactive guitar lessons. Find practical exercises and step-by-step instructions to learn different chords on the guitar. You can also experiment with other instruments on the app and explore all Yousician has to offer with a free 7-day trial of Premium+. Get started on your guitar-playing journey today!