Expand Your Knowledge by Learning Open 7th Chords
As we learned previously, major chords are built on the basic scale note numbers 1, 3, and 5. If we add one or two extra scale notes it creates a chord with an extension. The most common extension is to add the flat or dominant 7. This creates a blues-sounding chord. Remember those scale note numbers – 1 (root), 3 (third), 5 (fifth), b7 (flat seventh).
Dominant 7th chords are used a lot in blues, funk and jazz music.
C7
Let’s start by playing the basic C Major chord. If we add our fourth finger (your little finger) to the 3rd string, 3rd fret, we create a C7 chord.
Becomes
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Often your fourth finger is not as strong or easy to control, so don’t worry if it’s a little difficult to begin with, a few practices and it will feel more natural.
Let’s spend some time going over the other four open dominant 7th chords.
To play the A7 chord, you alter the A Major chord by simply removing your first finger to allow the open G string to ring.
G7
The G7 chord has different fingering from G Major, so this time you have to start afresh. You’ll notice by looking at the shape that the bass notes stay the same, but your hand position changes significantly.
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The E7 is a very easy chord to adapt to – just play an E Major and drop your third finger.
Like G7, it’s necessary to learn new fingering for the D7 chord. Remember how the D Major shape looked like an arrow pointing towards the guitar? An easy trick to remember the D7 shape is how it also looks like an arrow, but pointing away from the guitar this time.
Introduction to the Blues
We’re now going to use these new chords in a 12 bar blues tune, to get you sounding like classic rockers like the Beatles or Elvis Presley. The 12 bar blues is great for the guitar because the pattern repeats every 12 bars. Have a listen to songs like ‘Hound Dog’ or ‘Johnny B. Goode’ for some really swinging 12 bar blues. I personally love blues music, and some of my favorite blues guitarists are Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B King, Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker. I believe all aspiring guitarists should take a little time to listen to some blues music. It’s the foundation of rock! The blues are a great way to learn and teach guitar because so many different concepts can be brought in.
Let’s get those dominant 7th chords happening for an A blues piece.
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You’ll notice that I haven’t written the chords in every bar. This means that you just stay on the current chord. So bars 1 to 4 are chord A7, then 5 and 6 are chord D etc. Remember that in the examples we finish on the first chord, which in this example is A7.
The coolest thing about the blues is that once you understand and learn the chord progression, you can play it in any key. This is great for practicing lots of different chords, and jamming on ideas. With just this one progression you might even be able to get up on stage and jam with a band! Every musician knows the blues, and playing it can be heaps of fun.
The distinctive last four bars of the blues is called a ‘turnaround’. Try a G7 Blues Turnaround.
Finish the example by playing a G7 chord. You should be able to hear from the sound of the chord progression that you need to end on the G7 to make it sound complete.
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Minor Seventh Chords
Constructing minor 7th chords relies on the same approach as major 7th chords, only this time we start with the minor chord and add the flat seventh. The scale numbers we’re now using are 1, b3, 5, b7.
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Em7 has to be the easiest of all the chords! You can’t go wrong with one finger!
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If you look at the image, you’ll notice that my first finger has to play two strings. This is called to ‘barre’ or ‘barring’. The key is to try and lay your finger flat across the fingerboard. Make sure your wrist, thumb and elbow are in the correct position to allow you to press against the fingerboard in this way. Bad technique and posture will make barring a lot harder. Again, barring can be tricky to start with, but keep at it and it will flow naturally before you know it.
Try playing the 12 bar blues using the minor 7th chords. Remember how I told you the blues is a great way to substitute new ideas and help you learn, well here’s the proof!
OK, now let’s get you playing some simple song exercises, using all the chords you’ve learned so far. Before you get into it, you might like to review all the chord lessons you’ve completed, and make sure you remember all the shapes, which strings you play for each chord, and that you can change smoothly between different chords.
You may hear similarities to ‘Redemption Song’ by Bob Marley.
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This may remind you of ‘Hey Joe’ by Jimi Hendrix.
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Finish on an E7 chord.
The Beach Boys classic ‘California Girls’ features a chord progression like this.
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Practice Changing Chords
The following exercise is a fun way to practice your chord changes and help you remember the chord shapes.
1. Write down a series of chords in a row. For Example: C, G, G7, Am
2. Play each chord once and let it ring out for one bar (4 beats), then change to the next chord. Count to 4, but instead of counting ‘1’ say the actual chord name, to help your brain link the sound, the name, and the shape of your fingers.
Don’t be afraid to count out loud as you play.
C 2 3 4, G 2 3 4, G7 2 3 4, Am 2 3 4 (repeat)
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Pro Guitar Tip
Remember to start slowly at first and then build your speed while staying smooth. Focus on fluid chord changes, and don’t forget that metronome to give you a solid foundation in timing.
Here’s some of my chord series examples for you to try:
A, G, A, E,
A, D, A, C,
E, C, A, D,
E, D, A, E,
Em, G7, Am7, Dm7,
C7, G, Em, A
A, D, Em, A,
D7, C, D7, A
Write out as many combinations as you wish, and challenge yourself. It’s a great sense of accomplishment when you realize you’ve played every chord you’ve learned, and they sound just right. Good luck!
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