If you’re learned the F major chord, a popular chord you’ll hear often in a variety of songs, you’re just one step away from mastering the F7. Just remove your 4th finger and you’ve got it!
Otherwise, read on to learn how to play an F7 chord, also called an F dominant seventh chord or F Dom. Other dominant 7th chords are A7, B7, C7, D7, E7, and G7.
How to Play the F7 Chord
Get your 1st finger nice and straight to bar the 1st fret. The string tension is highest on the 1st fret so you’ll need extra strength, proper posture, and lots of practice to get it just right. Use the bony part of your finger to press the strings and make sure to place your thumb at the back of the neck to help.
Your 2nd finger will press on the 3rd string of the 2nd fret. Finally, place your 3rd finger on the 5th string of the 3rd fret. Strum all strings to play the F7 chord.
Got all that? Here’s a handy diagram just in case:
Easy Chord Variation
If you’d rather avoid the barre chord in the version above, here is an easy way to play the F7 chord. You’ll only need 3 fingers and they’ll be close together.
On the 4th fret, place your 1st finger on the 2nd string. On the 5th fret, your 2nd finger goes on the 3rd string and your 3rd finger goes on the first string.
Strum the lightest 3 strings and be happy you didn’t have to do a barre chord.
4 Finger Stretch Version
I’d definately stretch your fingers out before trying this way to play F7! Your 4 fingers will span 4 different frets.
On fret 1 goes your 1st finger (on the 1st string). Fret 2 gets your 2nd finger (on the 2nd string). And fret 3 is for your 3rd finger (on the 3rd string).
Oh no, fret 4 breaks the pattern – your 4th finger goes on the 2nd fret, ending the stair-step pattern we’ve made.
What’s nice about the F7 chord is that there’s a version for every skill level and taste, from barre to easy to stretch. Try them all as your skills progress to enjoy all there is about this wonderful chord!
For more tips, see how to make your guitar chords easy to play. Also, learn more about guitar chords for beginners including how to take the chords you just learned and move them around the fretboard for new and exciting sounds.
