C7


Mglambo
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
Mglambo
Full Access
Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
02/03/2020 4:21 pm

Was just looking at the way a C7 chord lays out. The A string rooted barre version makes sense to me. But in the open version the 5 note (G) is ommitted. Just wondering how this is still the same chord without the all important 5 tone? I'm a relatively novice theory guy.


# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
02/03/2020 4:56 pm
Originally Posted by: Mglambo

Was just looking at the way a C7 chord lays out. The A string rooted barre version makes sense to me. But in the open version the 5 note (G) is ommitted. Just wondering how this is still the same chord without the all important 5 tone? I'm a relatively novice theory guy.

Good observation & question! You are right that a dominant 7th chord theoretically requires these scale degrees:

root (1st)

major 3rd

5th

minor 7th

But for practical purposes not every chord tone needs to be present in a chord voicing. Often the practical nature of the guitar takes priority. There are only so many strings & so many fingers! So, often the 5th degree is the first left out. And as long as you have the main scale degrees that capture the essential character of the chord you are good to go!

So in this case having the root, major 3rd & minor 7th is more than enough to sound the essential notes of a dom 7 chord.

This is also widely used in blues & jazz. Often other instruments are playing the root or another chord tone. And in order to make the guitar find it's own sonic space in the mix of instruments a guitarist might use just a few essential notes of any given chord. This is called using a shell voicing.

I cover dominant 7th chords in these tutorials.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=479

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=499

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=961

Hope that helps!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
Mglambo
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
Mglambo
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
02/04/2020 4:33 pm

Thanks Christopher. Makes sense and I always appreciate your quick and knowledgable replies!


# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
02/06/2020 12:26 pm
Originally Posted by: Mglambo

Thanks Christopher. Makes sense and I always appreciate your quick and knowledgable replies!

Good deal. You're welcome!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 4

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