Which notes are in the C#7 chord?

C#7 contains the notes C#, F, G# and B. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7.

How many ways can you play C#7?

Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for C#7, 1 of which is a barre shape. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.

Is the C#7 chord hard to play?

C#7 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are C#7 and Db7 the same chord?

Yes. C#7 and Db7 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

C# dominant 7th · Guitar

C#7 Chord on Guitar

The C#7 chord (C# dominant 7th) is built from the notes C#, F, G# and B. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below. The same chord is also written Db7; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

Position 1starts at fret 2

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): fret 4 — ring finger
string 4 (D): fret 3 — middle finger
string 3 (G): fret 4 — little finger
string 2 (B): fret 2 — index finger
string 1 (E): muted

Position 2barre shape · starts at fret 4

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): fret 4 — index finger
string 4 (D): fret 6 — ring finger
string 3 (G): fret 4 — index finger
string 2 (B): fret 6 — little finger
string 1 (E): fret 4 — index finger

Notes in this chord

C♯
F
G♯
B

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7

Also written: Db7

How to play

Every guitar shape for C#7 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 2. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.

Theory behind the chord

Dominant seventh chords add a minor seventh on top of a major triad. The tension between the third and the seventh is what makes them pull towards the chord a fourth above — the engine of blues and jazz turnarounds. On C#7 this structure sits on the root C#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 map onto C#, F, G# and B.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C#7 chord?: C#7 contains the notes C#, F, G# and B. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7.
How many ways can you play C#7?: Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for C#7, 1 of which is a barre shape. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
Is the C#7 chord hard to play?: C#7 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are C#7 and Db7 the same chord?: Yes. C#7 and Db7 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise C#7 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.