C7 Chord

This page dives into the C7 dominant seventh chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it grooves in iconic songs. C7 (C • E • G • B♭) delivers that classic bluesy tension begging to resolve to F. It’s a staple in blues, rock, country, and funk.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play C7

Open Position (x32310)

Classic Barre (8x898x)

Bluesy Rootless (x32310 variation)

High Voicing (12 13 12 13 12 12)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

C7 is dominant, so Mixolydian and blues scales sound especially good over it.

C Mixolydian

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

e|-----------------------------6-8--|
B|---------------------------8-10---|
G|--------------------7-8-10--------|
D|-------------7-8-10---------------|
A|------7-8-10----------------------|
E|-8-10-----------------------------|

C Blues Scale

C E♭ F F♯ G B♭ C

e|-----------------------6-8--|
B|----------------4-6-7-8---|
G|------------3-5-----------|
D|------3-4-5---------------|
A|--3-6---------------------|
E|--------------------------|

C Minor Pentatonic

C E♭ F G B♭ (great blues/rock sound over C7)

e|---------------------------8-11--|
B|----------------------8-11----|
G|-----------------8-10---------|
D|------------8-10--------------|
A|-------8-10-------------------|
E|--8-11------------------------|

C7 in Legendary Songs

The bluesy crunch of C7 powers many great tracks:

• "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry – Classic 12-bar blues with strong C7 turns.
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Prominent in the turnaround and solos.
• "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Punchy dominant feel in the progression.
• "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley – Heavy C7 dominant energy.
• "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash – Train-like groove with C7 resolve.
• "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison – Upbeat C7 to F changes.