One of the defining characteristics of the blues in a major key is the use of the Dominant 7 chord rather that Major 7 chords. When the root of the chord is on the 6th string of the guitar, (for example in a G7 chord the G note is on the 3rd fret of the 6th string) it is very common to play it this way:
And when the root of the chord is on the 5th string, for example a C7, it is often played like this:
To be honest, I don’t really like the 6th string version of the dominant 7 chord. It is too big, too clunky. It gets in the way. If you are playing with a singer, or singing yourself, or someone is taking a solo it will step all over them.
Think of it this way: when you are playing rhythm guitar you are the accompaniment. Your job is to support the lead line whether it be a singer or another instrument. Think of the singer, or lead instrument as the top note in your chord. Every sound has its place an, and they all fit together to make a heavenly blues sound.
The 5th string root version of the dominant 7 is great. No complaints.
But for basic blues guitar chords I like to rely on three note chords. In this case less really is more. Actually, less usually is more. Especially at a blues jam night after a couple of beers. But that’s another post…
So rather than using that big ole’ clunky G7 chord, I would play this:
You can also finger this chord like this:
Not only will it sound better, but it’s an easy transition on the guitar fretboard to my preferred version of the 5th string root C7 chord:
These basic blues chords are also the basis for a few really nice advanced blues chords that I will cover in Part Two of this lesson. Check out the video lesson where I demonstrate these great voicings of basic blues guitar chords.
Check out part 2 of this lesson: Blues Guitar Chords – Part Two
More Blues Guitar Lessons & Info:
- Blues Guitar Lick #1: The Essential Blues Turnaround If you are going to play the blues, there are...
- Guitar Great Lonnie Mack – The Father of Blues Rock I live in Cleveland, Ohio, which also happens to be...
2 Comments
You have a really awesome site. It is exciting to see so many resources all together.
On this page explaining the basic blues chords, though, I don’t really see how you’re muting the X strings on the three note versions. For the G7 are you using your first finger like a barr to mute? And for the C7, do you just avoid those extra strings in your strumming?
If you could add something about what you’re doing about that I’d love it. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words Drew! I am trying to find more time to add more content to the site. I’m pulled in all sorts of different directions these days so it’s hard. Your praise makes me want to find the time even more.
To answer your question: on the G7 the finger that plays the 6th string mutes the 5th string, and the finger that plays the 3rd string mutes the 1st and 2nd strings. It’s really not that hard to get used to laying your fingers down so they only mute the strings.
For the C7 shape the 3rd finger mutes the2nd string and the palm of the hand by the 1st finger mutes the the 1st string.
Let me knos if you have any more questions (I really love it when people have questions).