A7 7-string bass chord

How to play A7 on 7-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, your ring finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, your index finger on the C string at the 1st fret and your little finger on the F string at the 2nd fret. Let the A string ring open. Don’t play the B and E strings.

From the B string x x 0 2 2 1 2 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in A7?

A7, A dominant seventh, is A, C♯, E and G: the root (A), the major third (C♯), the perfect fifth (E) and the minor seventh (G). Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7.

Are A7 and Amaj7 the same?

No. Both add a seventh to A, but A7 adds the minor seventh, G, and Amaj7 the major seventh, G♯. A7 sounds restless and wants to move on; Amaj7 sounds settled and dreamy.

Can I play A instead of A7?

Usually, yes: the song still works, with less pull. A7 is a dominant seventh, the V7 of D major, and its C♯ and G lead straight into D.

Keys with A7

A7 is the V7 chord in D major and the VII7 chord in B minor, and the V7 of D minor, the major fifth chord from its harmonic minor scale.