C#7 guitar chord
The C# dominant 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in C#7
- Notes
- C# – E# – G# – B
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – b7
- Name
- C# dominant 7th
C#7C# · E# · G# · B
4 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- C shape · 2nd fret
- A shape · 4th fret
- G shape · 6th fret
- E shape · 9th fret
What to play over C#7
Start with the chord's own notes — C#, E#, G#, B — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- D♭ Mixolydian mode
The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.
- D♭ major pentatonic scale
Five notes that sit right on top of the chord.
- C# blues scale
For blues: the ♭3 rubbing against the chord’s 3 is the whole point.
- D♭ Phrygian dominant scale
When the chord resolves to a minor chord a fourth up (V7 to i): the ♭9 and ♭13 pull hard.
Questions
What notes are in a C#7 chord?
C#7 has 4 notes: C#, E#, G#, B. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – b7.
What scale goes with C#7?
D♭ Mixolydian mode is the place to start. The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.