G7 guitar chord
The G 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 G7
- Notes
- G – B – D – F
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – b7
- Name
- G dominant 7th
G7G · B · D · F
5 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- E shape · 3rd fret
- D shape · 5th fret
- C shape · 8th fret
- A shape · 10th fret
What to play over G7
Start with the chord's own notes — G, B, D, F — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- G Mixolydian mode
The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.
- G major pentatonic scale
Five notes that sit right on top of the chord.
- G blues scale
For blues: the ♭3 rubbing against the chord’s 3 is the whole point.
- G 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 G7 chord?
G7 has 4 notes: G, B, D, F. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – b7.
What scale goes with G7?
G Mixolydian mode is the place to start. The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.