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G7 Chord on Guitar, Piano and Ukelele – How to Play the Dominant seventh

Sergio J. C.
14 de August de 2022

The G dominant 7th chord (G7) is built from a root note (G), a major third (B), a perfect fifth (D) and a minor seventh (F):

  • Type: major tetrad.
  • Formule: 1 3 5 ♭7.
  • Music notes: G (1) B (3) D (5) F (♭7).
  • Chords to play with: IVmaj7 (Cmaj7) y V7 (Dm7).
G7 chord pentagram staff stave

G7 chord [Musical explanation]

The G dominant seventh chord is a tetrad with formula 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7. Therefore, to build it we need G (1), B (3), D (5) and F (♭7):

what notes are in a G7 chord

This is due to the fact that a dominant seventh chord is made up of 3 third intervals:

  • A major interval (4 half steps between the 3rd and root).
  • A minor interval (3 half steps between the 5th and 3rd).
  • A minor interval (3 half steps between the 7th and 5th).

If we apply this principle to the G7 chord we obtain that:

  • B is the major third of G because it is 4 half steps above the root.
  • D is the perfect fifth of G because it is 3 half steps above the 3rd.
  • F is the major seventh of G because it is 3 half steps above the 5th.

Thus, this confirms that a major seventh chord is defined by:

Root (G) – Major Third (B) – Perfect Fifth (D) – Minor Seventh (F)

To sum up, in order to build the G7 chord we need to add the minor seventh (7th) to the G major chord.

G7 Guitar Chord

The G7 chord guitar has the following shape on the fretboard:

G7 guitar chord
G7 guitar diagram

Let’s analyze in detail this chord diagram above to make sure that we understand how to play the G7 on guitar.

ng the 3 circles in blue, which indicate that on the strings 6 (E), 5 (A) and 1 (e) we have to place the fingers 3 (ring finger), 2 (middle) and 1 (index).

Note by the way the number 1 in black on the left that indicates on which fret we start playing the chord.

On the other hand, at the top we see that we have the characters:

G B D G B F

This simply means that in the:

  • Sixth string sounds the G note.
  • Fifth string sounds the B note.
  • Fourth string sounds the D note.
  • Third string sounds the G note.
  • Second string sounds the B note.
  • First string sounds the F note.

And at the bottom we find the numbers:

1  3 5  1 3 ♭7

This indicates that in the:

  • Sixth string sounds the root (1).
  • Fifth string sounds the major third (3).
  • Fourth string sounds the perfect fifth (5).
  • Third string sounds the root (1).
  • Second string sounds the major third (3).
  • First string sounds the minor seveth (♭7).

⚠️ Important: it is not mandatory to memorize all this information to play the G7 chord on guitar. But it is highly recommended to know it in order to understand the musical theory behind each chord.

Other ways to play the G dominant 7 guitar chord

In addition to the diagram shown at the beginning of the article, we can also find the G7 chord in the following fretboard positions:

g7 chord guitar chart
G7 chord guitar chart

G7 chord inversions

The 3 inversions of the G 7th chord are:

  • First inversion: G7/B.
  • Second inversion: G7/D.
  • Third inversion: G7/D.
G7 guitar chord inversion

G7 Ukulele Chord

Here you can see as well the G7 uke chord diagram:

G7 ukulele chord
G7 on ukulele

G7 Piano Chord

To play the G7 chord on piano we only need to find the same music notes on its keys:

G7 piano chord
G7 piano

First Inversion (G7/B)

G7/B piano chord 1st inversion

Second Inversión (G7/D)

G7/D piano chord 2nd inversion

Third Inversión (G7/F)

G7/F piano chord 3rd inversion

Music scales in which the E minor 7th chord can be found

  • A# major scale (armonizada por cuatríadas)
    • Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7 Am7 Bm7♭55
  • G natural minor scale (armonizada por cuatríadas)
    • Am7 Bm7♭5 Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Fmaj7 G7
  • A# harmonic minor scale (armonizada por cuatríadas)
    • Cm(maj7) Dm7♭5 E♭maj7#5 Fm7 G7 A♭maj7 Bdim7
  • C melodic minor scale (armonizada por cuatríadas)
    • Dm(maj7) Em7 Fmaj7#5 G7 A7 Bdim7 D♭m7♭5
  • A# melodic minor scale (armonizada por cuatríadas)
    • Cm(maj7) Dm7 E♭maj7#5 F7 G7 Adim7 Bm7♭5

G7 Chord PDF

If you liked this lesson and want to download it in PDF click here below:

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