C7 chord on ukulele

C7 is C, E, G and B♭. The easiest shape is 0-0-0-1. Tap Play, then slow it down.

0-0-0-1 · open · easy

Notes: C · E · G · B♭
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7
First shape: 0-0-0-1

How to play C7 on ukulele

Shape 1, 0-0-0-1, reading from the G string on the left:

Put your index finger on the A string at the 1st fret, which is B♭.
The open G, C and E strings add G, C and E; don't touch them.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
Strum with the pad of your index finger or thumb, all four strings, across the spot where the neck meets the body.

Other ways to play C7

5-7-6-7: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. Use it when the next chord sits nearby on the neck.
9-10-8-10: movable shape at the 8th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.

Playing C7 with a capo

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 1st fret and play the open B7 shape (2-3-2-0), capo on the 3rd fret and play the open A7 shape (0-1-0-0) or capo on the 5th fret and play the open G7 shape (0-2-1-2). The chord sounds as C7 because the capo raises every string by a half step.

Changing from C7 to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold C7 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

F (the V7 pulls home a fifth below): C7 (0-0-0-1) to F (2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the E string at the same fret, the middle finger comes down on the G string, 2nd fret. The two chords share C, which is why the change sounds smooth. F on ukulele
Fmaj7 (I in F major): C7 (0-0-0-1) to Fmaj7 (2-4-1-3): the index finger slides across to the E string at the same fret, the middle finger comes down on the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared notes: C and E. Fmaj7 on ukulele
Dm7 (vi in F major): C7 (0-0-0-1) to Dm7 (2-2-1-3): the index finger slides across to the E string at the same fret, the middle finger comes down on the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the C string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. C carries over from one chord to the other. Dm7 on ukulele

C7 is a dominant seventh chord: a major triad with a flattened seventh on top. All 4 notes of C7 fit on the ukulele's four strings. On ukulele you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Practice C7 in two minutes

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: G, C, E, B♭. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Next, alternate 0-0-0-1 and 5-7-6-7, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Keys and progressions with C7

In C major, I7–IV7–V7 (12 bars) on ukulele is C7 (0-0-0-1), F7 (2-3-1-3) and G7 (0-2-1-2). About the 12-bar blues.

In F major, ii–V–I on ukulele is Gm7 (0-2-1-1), C7 (0-0-0-1) and Fmaj7 (2-4-1-3). About the jazz cadence.

C7 on guitar and piano

Switching instruments? Try C7 on piano or C7 on guitar, or compare them on the C7 chord page.

Related C chords on ukulele

Other dominant seventh chords

C7 on ukulele: questions

What notes are in C7 on ukulele?

C, E, G and B♭. In the 0-0-0-1 shape the strings play G (G string, open), C (C string, open), E (E string, open) and B♭ (A string).

What's the easiest way to play C7 on ukulele?

0-0-0-1, shape 1 above. Open strings do part of the work, so no barre.

Is C7 a barre chord on ukulele?

Not in its common form: 0-0-0-1 needs no barre.

Which string does C7 start on?

In the 0-0-0-1 shape the lowest string you play is the G string, open, which is G, the perfect fifth.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside C7. Updated September 2026.