A7 Chord

This page dives into the A7 dominant 7th chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it grooves in iconic songs. A7 (A • C♯ • E • G) delivers that classic bluesy tension begging to resolve to D. It’s a staple in blues, rock, country, and funk.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play A7

Open Position (x02020)

Classic Barre (575655)

High Voicing (x 12 14 12 14 12)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

A7 is dominant, so Mixolydian and blues scales sound especially good over it.

A Mixolydian

A B C♯ D E F♯ G A (the classic dominant sound)

e|-------------------------3-5-|
B|-----------------------5-7----|
G|-----------------4-6-7--------|
D|-----------4-5-7--------------|
A|-----4-5-7--------------------|
E|-5-7--------------------------|

A Blues Scale

A C D D♯ E G A

e|-------------------------5-8-|
B|---------------------5-8-----|
G|---------------5-7-8---------|
D|-----------5-7---------------|
A|-----5-6-7-------------------|
E|-5-8-------------------------|

A Minor Pentatonic

A C D E G (great blues/rock sound over A7)

e|---------------------5-8-|
B|-----------------5-8-----|
G|-------------5-7---------|
D|---------5-7-------------|
A|-----5-7-----------------|
E|-5-8---------------------|

A7 in Legendary Songs

The bluesy crunch of A7 powers many great tracks:

• "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry – Classic 12-bar blues with strong A7 turns.
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Prominent A7 in the turnaround and solos.
• "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Punchy dominant feel in the progression.
• "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley – Heavy A7 dominant energy.
• "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash – Train-like groove with A7 resolve.
• "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison – Upbeat A7 to D changes.