How to play the G7 chord on guitar
G7 keeps the two bass notes of G but moves the top note down to the 1st fret, so the hand stretches from the 6th string at the 3rd fret to the 1st string at the 1st fret.
The 3D hands holding G7. Switch to 0.5× and turn the guitar to see each finger.
Where the fingers go
- Ring finger (3) on the low E (6th) string, fret 3.
- Middle finger (2) on the A (5th) string, fret 2.
- Index finger (1) on the high E (1st) string, fret 1.
- Let D (4th), G (3rd) and B (2nd) ring open.
Notes in the chord: G – B – D – F
Tips
- The index on the 1st string is the note that makes it a 7th. Press with the very tip so the open 2nd string still rings.
- G7 resolves to C, and the change is neat: ring and middle each move one string over and the index drops to the 2nd string. You have made C.
- Strum all six strings.
Easier ways to play G7
G7 (4 strings)
x x 0 0 0 1
One finger on the 1st string; strum only the four thin strings. Enough for many folk and country songs.
Practise G7 inside a real song
Paste the chords of any song that uses G7, or snap a photo of the sheet. SnapFret plays it with the hands, and you can loop the change you find hardest.
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