C#7 / Db7 Guitar Chord
C#7 (also written Db7) is a dominant seventh chord. It adds a minor seventh to a major chord, which creates tension that wants to move on to the next chord. It is everywhere in blues. Its notes are C#, E# (= F), G# and B. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in C#7 / Db7
C#7 and Db7 are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as C#7.
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C# | R | Root |
| E# (= F) | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G# | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| B | b7 | Minor 7th |
Formula: 1–3–5–b7
E# is the correct spelling of this note in this chord. On the guitar it is the same pitch as F.
C#7 / Db7 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
A-shape 4fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 4 6 4 6 4
- Fingers
- – 1 3 1 4 1
E-shape 9fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 9 11 9 10 9 9
- Fingers
- 1 3 1 2 1 1
How to play C#7 / Db7 (easiest shape)
Shape: A-shape 4fr, tab x 4 6 4 6 4 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret (a barre).
- 2Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 6th fret.
- 3Put your pinky (4) on the 2nd string at the 6th fret.
- 4Don't play the 6th string.
- 5Strum down from the 5th string to the 1st string.
C#7 / Db7: common questions
- What notes are in the C#7 / Db7 chord?
- C#7 and Db7 are two names for the same chord. Spelled as C#7, it has 4 notes: C#, E# (= F), G# and B. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7.
- Is there an easier way to play C#7 / Db7?
- The easiest shape on this page is "A-shape 4fr" (x 4 6 4 6 4). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
Related chords
Other C#/Db chords
More guitar tools
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