A7-shape Chord

Dominant seventh chords add a little tension to a chord progression, creating a desire for movement. The A-shape dominant seventh chord (A7 for short) adds a minor seventh interval to the A-shape major triad.

The core A7 shape

This shape is commonly played as a barre chord, fingered x13141. Compared to the A major shape, the R on the third string moves back two frets, becoming the ♭7. Sometimes it can be a little challenging to get the ♭7 to ring out, but it's important, because that's the main feature of this chord.

Alternate A7 grips

Drop 2 voicing

Leaving out the first string turns the barre chord into what jazz players call a drop 2 voicing: the chord tones are stacked R5♭73 on four neighboring strings. It's part of a whole family of seventh chord voicings on the middle strings. It's typically fingered as x1314x or x1324x, which can be more relaxed to grip than the full barre.

Study and practice

Learn the chord grips

Master the A7 chord using the exercises described in How to Master New Chord Grips.

Alternate between major and dominant seventh

Practice switching between the A-shape major and dominant seventh chords.

V7-I cadence

Practice switching between the A-shape V7 and I chords of a key. This is a very common chord change, known as a perfect cadence.