G7 Chord

This page dives into the G7 dominant seventh chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it grooves in iconic songs. G7 (G • B • D • F) delivers that classic bluesy tension begging to resolve to C.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play G7

Open Position (320001)

e|---1---| B|---0---| G|---0---| D|---0---| A|---2---| E|---3---|

Classic Barre (353433)

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

Easy High (xx5433)

e|---3---| B|---3---| G|---4---| D|---5---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

Bluesy Rootless (xx3001)

e|---1---| B|---0---| G|---0---| D|---3---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

G7 is dominant, so mixolydian and blues scales reign supreme. Here are the go-to choices with easy open-position ascending tabs.

Major Family Modes

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

e|-------------------------0-1-3-|
B|---------------------1-3-------|
G|---------------0-2-4-----------|
D|-----------2-3-----------------|
A|-----2-3-5---------------------|
E|-3-5---------------------------|

C Lydian: C D E F G A B C

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

Minor Family Modes

E Phrygian: E F G A B C D E

e|-----------------------1-3-|
B|-------------------1-3-----|
G|---------------0-2---------|
D|-----------1-3-------------|
A|-----1-3-4-----------------|
E|-1-4-----------------------|

Blues & Pentatonics

G Blues Scale: G Bb C Db D F G

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

G Minor Pentatonic: G Bb C D F (core blues/rock over G7)

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

G Major Pentatonic (for mixolydian flavor): G A B D E

e|-------------------0-3-|
B|---------------0-3-----|
G|-----------0-2---------|
D|-------0-2-------------|
A|---2-5-----------------|
E|-3---------------------|

G7 in Legendary Songs

The dominant crunch of G7 powers countless blues, rock, and jazz progressions:

"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry – Classic 12-bar blues built on G7 turns.
"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd – G7 in the turnaround and solos.
"La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Simple I-IV-V with punchy G7.
"Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley – Heavy G7 dominant feel in the riff.
"Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash – Train-like boom-chicka with G7 resolve.
"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix – Slow blues in E uses G7 in the progression.