G seventh chord (G7)

G seventh is a 4-note dominant seventh chord: G – B – D – F. It sounds tense: it wants to resolve to another chord. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele, with fingering and audio.

NotesG – B – D – F
Formula1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7
SymbolG7 · Gdom7
TypeDominant seventh chord

G seventh on guitar

Open position
Barre at fret 3 (E shape)
Barre at fret 10 (A shape)

How to place your fingers (open position)

Finger 3 (ring finger) on fret 3 of the 6th string (E).
Finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of string 5 (A).
Place finger 1 (index) at fret 1 on the 1st string (E).
The 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings are played open.

The numbers inside the dots are the fingers of your left hand: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring and 4 pinky. The colored dots mark the root (G). The other positions let you change chords without jumping along the neck, or give you a higher-pitched sound.

G seventh on piano

In root position, play G – B – D – F from bottom to top with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 of your right hand. With your left hand you usually play just the root (G) or the root and the fifth.

Inversions

First inversion: B – D – F – G
Second inversion: D – F – G – B
Third inversion: F – G – B – D

G seventh on ukulele

Open position
From fret 2

Standard tuning G – C – E – A (the G string is the high one). Is your ukulele in tune? Use the ukulele tuner.

Notes and intervals of G seventh

G1 · root
B3 · major third
D5 · perfect fifth
F♭7 · minor seventh

It's the dominant chord (V7): it sets up the arrival at the tonic and is the foundation of blues, son and many song endings.

Progressions with G7

A dominant that resolves: V7 – I

G7
C

G7 is the fifth degree of C major: its tension wants to resolve to C.

The ii–V–I: ii7 – V7 – Imaj7

The most common cadence in jazz and bossa nova.

Which keys contain G seventh?

G7 belongs to 2 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).

Key	Degree
C major	V7
A natural minor	VII7

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the G seventh chord?

G seventh (G7) has 4 notes: G (root), B (major third), D (perfect fifth), F (minor seventh).

How do you play G seventh on guitar?

The easiest shape is in open position: 3 2 0 0 0 1 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 6th string (E). Place finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 5th string (A). Place finger 1 (index) on fret 1 of the 1st string (E). Play the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings open.

What is the chord symbol for G seventh?

It is written G7; you may also see Gdom7. Chord symbols use letter names for notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.

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