I’m primarily a jazz guitarist and use this shape a lot. The other great inside shape is the 6th. eg for f6/13 5th string Eb, 4th string A, 3rd string D, 2nd string F.
eg try this descending chord sequence all on the middle 4 strings, F7+9 – F9 – F7 – F6/13
or that great descent in Route 66 in F. … F7 (your chord) -E7b9 – Eb9 – D7 +9 to Gm – C7 – Gm – D dim – Am -G#7 – Gm – F#7 – F
I usually play it with the 5th in the base. If you play it the way it’s shown in the video there is no 5th of the chord!!!. It’s just as usable (slideable) and you don’t have to worry about the low E string!
I was surprised to hear, that it isn’t used a lot. Inside chords (middle 4 strings) are my favorites. They sound equally good in solo or band context, they are (usually) easy to play, and muting doesn’t get any easier,so they should be used a lot. Good reminder.
Actually, the C7 chord shape HAS been used up the neck as an open E7 chord (with all 6 strings ringing) by Three Dog Night, Out in the Country:
Am7 (5F), Bm7 (7F), open E7.
This is from Michael Allsup’s website (longtime 3DN guitarist). No other chord voicings sound right, since this is what he played on the recording. The E7 works as an open chord, but most chords played up the neck with this grip don’t sound good open. Cheers, JB
‘Say the word’ is a good example. It starts on (D7#9) Say the word and you’ll be( D7) free. So if you play the D7#9 in the 4th position and move down on the word free to the D7 grip that Griff shows in the third position, it is perfect.
I have used that C7th on the 5th fret, but then I go into a F shape on the same fret, then slide that F down 2 frets , not sure what those chords are but they seem to sound good and play easy !!!!
Great refresher and the C7, D7 and E7 are all my favourites. I like what Chris Gardner says about leaving the open E to get the great D9 sound.
I even use these with break ups (Muting the Strings in between the beats).
I would like to wish you Griff & Laura and family all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2018 and us all playing the guitar with the Blues Guitar Unleashed Family into next year 2018.
Another great little lesson. I’m surprised that it would be more uncommonly used than the 5th string bar-chord though. I’ve always found it much easier to grab since, open-C is the first chord shape I learned and then it was just a matter of training the pinkie. Nothing for my brain and fingers to get crossed-up on. I still have trouble grabbing the closed-C7 position.
I also use the other 7th shape… I call it the B7 shape, a lot for the 5th-string rooted 7th chords. It’s essentially the same chord shape but using the middle finger on the root instead of the ring-finger.
great chord been using it for ages. great sound if u dont know it learn it lol. I learned this from the B7 chord 1 fret down from it
always look forward to your emails Griff
Rohn
Griff;
I use that chord configuration very frequently but as a barre chord so I can switch between the major and 7th chords quickly, and akso don’t need to worry about nulling the 1st & 6th strings. I’ve been doing that for decades and didn’t realize it was anything unusual. As always, Griff, a great video. Thanks!
Yes! A true blues sound! I was taught this shape years ago, as a turnaround (D7-D#7-E7). Very authentic old blues sound!
A MUST know chord! Great tip, Griff!
This chord shape is a staple in my playing. You can also use your ring finger to grab the alternating counter bass note on the 6th string for a country sound. Thanks Griff for all your teaching!
So glad you brought this to light. It’s that wonderful staccato choppy chord (an E7 using the C7 shape at fret 5) in Keep on running by Spencer Davis. At fret 3, include the open top E string to get a great D9, especially tasteful when fingerpicked. I use the shape in our bands rendering of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab. It’s a breeze to make a run up from the fifth below on the bottom E string to the root. C7 as demonstrated, then a G7 at fret 10, with an F7 at fret 8. Easy to change to a 9th, 7#9 etc in jazzy progressions, with minimum effort.
Hi Griff,
I’m one of your students and I use it all the time and 9 th chords,who plays blues with bar chords as there is no need when there is little chords plus there inversions all over the neck.also totally agree this chord sounds great better than a bar chord IMO.but great job bringing this chord to people’s attention see you in the USA next year
Yep, you featured that in the Tore Down lesson in BGU. Lesson 6 in the original BGU. Like most, I don’t use it enough, so I’ll do my best to change that.
Good lesson! I’ve been using this chord shape for longer than I care to mention, but only recently started using the barre chord equivalent. I guess I figured that, since I use it, everybody knows about it…..
A shape SRV used to use quite a bit I think. Especially as E7. Wish I understood how this shape works across all the strings. (ie it’s D7 across the first three strings next to the nut) and seems to work all over the fretboard. Never worked it out – back to the chord books. Great work as ever Griff.
50 replies to "The C7 Grip Chord"
Great for playing C7 C#7 D7 E7 Progression
I’ll never use that chord. I have a hand, finger, joint mobility combo that makes that impossible. I’ll bet I’m not the only one like this!
Wow it’s unusual to get something I already know in one of your lessons Griff. Good stuff anyway, been doing it for years.
Hey Griff, Great refresher and I use the C7 all the time. I saw this lesson back in 2017 as above and still is a great refresher.
Thanks
Michael -Sydney-Australia 4th Sept 2019.
Picked that shape up years ago, love shapes that move easily but I don’t see it used much in my circle of players.
I got from CCR. play it as an arpeggio and see what tune it reminds you of.
I’m primarily a jazz guitarist and use this shape a lot. The other great inside shape is the 6th. eg for f6/13 5th string Eb, 4th string A, 3rd string D, 2nd string F.
eg try this descending chord sequence all on the middle 4 strings, F7+9 – F9 – F7 – F6/13
or that great descent in Route 66 in F. … F7 (your chord) -E7b9 – Eb9 – D7 +9 to Gm – C7 – Gm – D dim – Am -G#7 – Gm – F#7 – F
I like it! Thanks Griff.
8/26/19
I usually play it with the 5th in the base. If you play it the way it’s shown in the video there is no 5th of the chord!!!. It’s just as usable (slideable) and you don’t have to worry about the low E string!
I was surprised to hear, that it isn’t used a lot. Inside chords (middle 4 strings) are my favorites. They sound equally good in solo or band context, they are (usually) easy to play, and muting doesn’t get any easier,so they should be used a lot. Good reminder.
Actually, the C7 chord shape HAS been used up the neck as an open E7 chord (with all 6 strings ringing) by Three Dog Night, Out in the Country:
Am7 (5F), Bm7 (7F), open E7.
This is from Michael Allsup’s website (longtime 3DN guitarist). No other chord voicings sound right, since this is what he played on the recording. The E7 works as an open chord, but most chords played up the neck with this grip don’t sound good open. Cheers, JB
THIS IS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOUR EMAILS Griff. Useful information. Thank you.
Cool man, cool.
Dave in the Adirondacks
The Beatles used 7th chords often. Can’t By Me Love is an example, the song begins with C7, most songs do not begin with 7th chords!
‘Say the word’ is a good example. It starts on (D7#9) Say the word and you’ll be( D7) free. So if you play the D7#9 in the 4th position and move down on the word free to the D7 grip that Griff shows in the third position, it is perfect.
All good stuff. Thanks
Hey Griff
I have used that C7th on the 5th fret, but then I go into a F shape on the same fret, then slide that F down 2 frets , not sure what those chords are but they seem to sound good and play easy !!!!
Great refresher and the C7, D7 and E7 are all my favourites. I like what Chris Gardner says about leaving the open E to get the great D9 sound.
I even use these with break ups (Muting the Strings in between the beats).
I would like to wish you Griff & Laura and family all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2018 and us all playing the guitar with the Blues Guitar Unleashed Family into next year 2018.
Michael-Sydney-Australia 3rd December 2017
Thanks for doing the do in a very understandable way.
Good reminder- I don’t use that shape enough. Mostly the barred E and A shapes, and the 9th
I thought this was FROWNED upon by the pros as a lazy short cut? One of the first shapes I learned in the early-mid 60s!
Another great little lesson. I’m surprised that it would be more uncommonly used than the 5th string bar-chord though. I’ve always found it much easier to grab since, open-C is the first chord shape I learned and then it was just a matter of training the pinkie. Nothing for my brain and fingers to get crossed-up on. I still have trouble grabbing the closed-C7 position.
I also use the other 7th shape… I call it the B7 shape, a lot for the 5th-string rooted 7th chords. It’s essentially the same chord shape but using the middle finger on the root instead of the ring-finger.
Thanks Griff. Knew it was there but you helped me see it in a new light.
yes I love that chord and I personally use that shape also for D7
great chord been using it for ages. great sound if u dont know it learn it lol. I learned this from the B7 chord 1 fret down from it
always look forward to your emails Griff
Rohn
Griff;
I use that chord configuration very frequently but as a barre chord so I can switch between the major and 7th chords quickly, and akso don’t need to worry about nulling the 1st & 6th strings. I’ve been doing that for decades and didn’t realize it was anything unusual. As always, Griff, a great video. Thanks!
In the E7 position why can’t you play the low E string.
you can play all 6 strings on a E7
I always do play the E bass string I was wonder why Grif said not to.Thanks Richard
I use it all the time, all over the neck. I learned it from Steve Miller, back in thew 60’s when I played in his band, Steve Miller & the Ardells.
Seems that could be useful for the 13 – 7 – 9 progressions in Rockabilly tunes.
Yes! A true blues sound! I was taught this shape years ago, as a turnaround (D7-D#7-E7). Very authentic old blues sound!
A MUST know chord! Great tip, Griff!
This chord shape is a staple in my playing. You can also use your ring finger to grab the alternating counter bass note on the 6th string for a country sound. Thanks Griff for all your teaching!
So glad you brought this to light. It’s that wonderful staccato choppy chord (an E7 using the C7 shape at fret 5) in Keep on running by Spencer Davis. At fret 3, include the open top E string to get a great D9, especially tasteful when fingerpicked. I use the shape in our bands rendering of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab. It’s a breeze to make a run up from the fifth below on the bottom E string to the root. C7 as demonstrated, then a G7 at fret 10, with an F7 at fret 8. Easy to change to a 9th, 7#9 etc in jazzy progressions, with minimum effort.
Hi Griff
Great tuition as always show in a manner anyone can understand.
C7 opens She was just 17
another classic,one of many
Keep on with lessons.
Hi Griff,
I’m one of your students and I use it all the time and 9 th chords,who plays blues with bar chords as there is no need when there is little chords plus there inversions all over the neck.also totally agree this chord sounds great better than a bar chord IMO.but great job bringing this chord to people’s attention see you in the USA next year
D7 and C7 figure prominently in The Beatles (Harrison’s) Taxman. Great chord.
In the song by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, “Slick” from the LP THE BEAT OF THE BRASS the guitarist John Pisano uses this chord shape
Yep, you featured that in the Tore Down lesson in BGU. Lesson 6 in the original BGU. Like most, I don’t use it enough, so I’ll do my best to change that.
Griff , thanks for showing us this chord . Sounds so good , and also is not that difficult . Thank you , Mike Z
John Lennon used this a lot. You can see it in old films.
you can also play the 5th of the chord on the 6th string
One of my favourites which I have used for years. Particularly for progressions from #9 down to 9 down to b9 to the 7th descent on the 2nd string.
Credence did a whole song with this chord (Born On the Bayou ). Such a great sound.
Good lesson! I’ve been using this chord shape for longer than I care to mention, but only recently started using the barre chord equivalent. I guess I figured that, since I use it, everybody knows about it…..
One of my favourite chord shapes. Surprising to hear that it is not commonly used.
A shape SRV used to use quite a bit I think. Especially as E7. Wish I understood how this shape works across all the strings. (ie it’s D7 across the first three strings next to the nut) and seems to work all over the fretboard. Never worked it out – back to the chord books. Great work as ever Griff.
I really like this chord and use it a lot…makes for an easy turnaround…and a nice variation from the 9th…later.
cowboy
I use it often but not enough
Yea! Something I can actually do!