Chord a Day, January 14th - A7

Learn a new chord everyday of January.

Published: 01 Jan 2013 Updated: 28 Dec 2022Visits: 128Code: ULCAD0114

INSTRUMENTS: Chords Main: Ukulele Others: Ukulele
Subjects: Chords

Related LessonAssets

Chord a Day, January 14th - A7


Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 14th is A7.

Happy birthday to my wife, Bernadette.

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Root Position A7

Harmonic Function for A7

The Harmonic Function of a chord is simply how is a chord being used, in context with other chords in a song or chord progression. Here are the most common harmonic functions for today's chord.

A7 is a Full Diatonic , primary chord in the common Major key(s) of: D (V)

A7 is a Full Diatonic chord in the common Minor key(s) of: Gm (V)

A7 is the Dominant chord in the keys of D, Dm. A chord truly functioning as a Dominant chord are Full Diatonic .

Secondary Dominant

A7 can a also function as a Secondary Dominant chord in five (5) major keys: ( V of IV , V of V , V of VI , V of II , V of III ) and three (3) minor keys: ( V of IV , V of V , V of VI ). For more information checkout (WikipediA) · Secondary Chord

(WikipediA) · A Secondary Dominant (also applied dominant, artificial dominant, or borrowed dominant) is a major triad or dominant seventh chord built and set to resolve to a scale degree other than the tonic, with the dominant of the dominant (written as V/V or V of V) being the most frequently encountered. The chord that the secondary dominant is the dominant of is said to be a temporarily tonicized chord. The secondary dominant is normally, though not always, followed by the tonicized chord. Tonicizations that last longer than a phrase are generally regarded as modulations to a new key (or new tonic).

In a Blues chord progression a seventh chord can function as the I IV and/or V .

Harmonic Analysis, Scales and Modes

All harmonic and scale analysis utilizes Roman Numerals related to its major or parallel major scale (I II II IV V VII VII, the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of the major scale). Technically, the modes are the same or can use a number relative to its parallel major scale. You will see the latter more than the former.

Open Position Chords

Today's chord, A7 is an Open Position chord.

Open Position Chords are any chord in the first four frets that include at least one open string.

Triads

Today's chord, A7 has an embedded a triad.

Triads • A three note chord, traditionally Major, Minor, Diminished, and Augmented.With contemporary triads including sus and add chords.

A real key to learning these triads is really and finally Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard . Memorizing the root of each triad for transposing to other keys.

Todays' open position A7, a 4-part chord, has one embedded major triad with the root on string one.

Core 4-part, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

Today's chord, A7 is one of, or based on one of, the Big Six Core Jazz chords for creating your 4-part, contemporary chord foundation and Life Beyond the Third Fret.

Learn a New Chord Each Day!!!

This Learn a New Chord Each Day!!! series of lessons was created and published in 2013 (10yrs ago) and has been added to an expanded ever since. 2020 brought videos to the show. 2023 is bringing more Harmonic information.

For a further exploration of this chord and its movable forms visit the Movable Ukulele Chords Lesson Series page.

To find out even more than you would ever need to know about a A7 chord — continue reading .

A7 is a Core Chord

A core chord is a basic chord that other chords can be derived from - creating new chords from your known chords. Your ever expanding set of core chords creates a solid foundation for playing music on ukulele or any instrument capable of playing chords. There are just far too many chord shapes to memorize all the possibilities. Some chords you can simply create on the fly as needed based on known information and how chords work.

Chord Type(s): Major 4-part

Chord Categories: Open Position Big Six

ULCAD0114 Chord_grid_legand.png

Related Lesson: Understanding a Chord Diagram

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns and are almost entirely learned by shape and sound – hopefully, the chords' name. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

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Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation of TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003 indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position D7 indicated as 2020.

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally, Standard Music Notation , TAB , in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for A7 are:

A C# E G

The chord tones are the 1 3 5 b7 scale degrees of the parent A Major Scale .

Recommended Fingering

LH_fingersAlthough additional fingerings are possible for many chords. Fingering for any given chord depends the science of how our fingers work and on the harmonic context the chord is being used in, what was the previous chord and what's the next chord. The goal is to play all the notes right behind the frets when possible. Remember longer fingers can reach the lower strings better and finger two and stack on finger three and finger three can stack on finger four.

Although you can play any chord with any finger — as long as it's yours, the recommended fingering for A7 is:

Recommended Fingering
0 1 0 0

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s A7 chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for A7:

  • 0 2 0 0
  • 0 3 0 0
  • 0 4 0 0

Pretty much any one of your four fingers can play this chord. It all depends on the context the chord is functioning within the song or progression. Although using finger 4 is possible, it's not very likely.

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Chord Photos

Photos typically are NOT a recommended way to show a chord as they don't and can't always show efficient, ergonomic chord fingering.

This is a reenactment of chord photos. The original photos, I'm sure, were intended to show a chord and inadvertently shows several points of bad technique:

A) Thumb too high in a non-supporting role.
B) Too far from the fret.

A) Knuckle collapsed. The end knuckle of the third finger is the weakest knuckle on the hand and needs more work.

A) Too far from the fret. Right behind the fret is the position of least effort to get a clear note. Any further away from the fret and you need to press harder.

Impolite Fingering — Try not to flip people the bird as in the second photo above. Finger one, the index finger is the only finger that is really capable of a Full Barre across all the four strings.

* Fingers Not Over Fingerboard And Out Of Position. All the non chording fingers in the above photos are out of position. Most likely to show a chord fingering – but not good fingering and really drives home the point of why photos are not the way to show a chord.

If you're using efficient fingering and keeping all the fingers over the fingerboard and ready to go and as close to the action as possible. You might not be able to see in the photo if a finger is actually being used to play a given chord. This is true for most chord photos.

In the photos for the Open Position C Chord I took for January 1 . I kept the other fingers out of the way for the photo and that is NOT how I would actually play those chords or recommend to others. Sort of does reinforce my thoughts on chords photos.


Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers can reach the lower string four and three goes a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret takes less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency in play, lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four and finger two can overlap finger three a little allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember – the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers – not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines BUT is a critical member of the team.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

ALL chords can be be constructed based on the their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for A7 are: A C# E G

A7 is the 1 3 5 b7 of the A Major Scale based on the root (A) of the chord.

7th (pronounced Seventh)

A partial seventh chord can be created by lowering the Root of a major triad two frets.

A seventh chord as a 4-part chord ( 1 3 5 b7 ) and one of the Big Six core chords used to derive other contemporary and jazz chords.

A Seventh chord along with your basic major and minor chords are the msot common chord you will encounter.

NOTE: A Seventh chord is very often referred to as a Dominant Seventh . This is not always accurate as Dominant — is a chord function and not actually part of a chord name, which is a capital letter and chord type information – not it's harmonic function. We don't call a seventh functioning as a I (one) chord in a Blues a Tonic Seventh or the IV (four) chord a Sub-Dominant Seventh chord, etc...

Next Steps

After memorizing todays A7 chord and able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.


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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Chord a Day, January 14th - A7.

Comparing the High G and Low G, C Tunings

Exploring the differences in these two common C tunings, both the high G reentrant tuning associated with he ukulele and the low G variation. There are benefits to exploring both C tunings. Good excuse to have more ukes -:)

Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart

A core set of basic ukulele chords that ALL Ukulele players should know in the five common keys of C, G, D, A and E. With the possible seventh chords for the same common keys. The chart is organized in common keys and covers basic chords in these keys.

Chord Shapes and Learning `Ukulele Chords

Pick up any chord dictionary, and one thought that should go through your mind is - TOO MANY CHORDS There is now way to memorize all those shapes. It would be better off learning how they came up with all those shapes. Most chord dictionaries are also just like pages transposed to all possible keys.

Learning the `Ukulele Fingerboard (Finally!!!)

Most players struggle with learning the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard. There doesn't seem to a pattern and notes repeat. There is an easy way and "it's easier that you think." Most players know the names of the open strings for their favorite tuning.

Naming Chords on `Ukulele

A Chord can have alternate names based on how it is being used. A chord's function is an important determining factor in naming a chord. So unless you know the harmonic function of a given chord, you might not be able to accurately name it.

Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the `Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

Standard music notation, the natural, sharp and flat notes of the ukulele fingerboard for C tuned ukuleles. Covers both high C and low G tuning variations.

Movable `Ukulele Chords

A series of weekly ukulele lessons originally presented throughout 2007 on movable ukulele chords as the "Ukulele Chord of The Week Series". Based on the Ukulele Chords book by Curt Sheller (me). It takes the open position chords and shows the movable form and the variations.

Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation

"TAB" or "Tablature", is an alternate form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. TAB is sort of a secret language between guitar players and ukulele players. Although a shortcut to getting started it actually serves to alienate one from the rest of the music world.

Standard Music Notation

Music notation or musical notation refers to various systems of writing music. Diverse systems of musical notation have developed in various cultures. In fact, many cultures simply do not notate their music in any form.

The Learning Process - The Mind, Hands and Ears

For music and learning an instrument like the ukulele or guitar, it's all about the making the connection between your Mind, your Hands, and your Ear. When listening to music, we enjoy it at the tempo the composer or artist intended, in real time. Only the ear is involved in listening. This is passive listening and you're simply enjoying the music. This is what we do every day and it's what draws us to want to learn a musical instrument.

The Harmonized Major and Minor Scale Charts

The "Major Scale" or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do), the Do in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

Transposing Individual `Ukulele Chords

"Transposition" is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musical score. This lesson deals with transposing chords on ukulele and transposing chords.

A7 - Open Position and Movable Forms

Open position A7 chord and its movable form and variations.

Related Songs

Related Songs for Chord a Day, January 14th - A7.

UL590

Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

Updated: 20 Nov 2015

"Has Anybody Seen My Girl? (Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue)" is an American popular song that achieved its greatest popularity in the 1920s. It is sometimes known simply as "Has Anybody Seen My Girl?" and sometimes simply as "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue"; the 1925 Leo Feist, Inc. sheet music gives both of these.

UL588

Hey, Good Lookin

Updated: 16 Mar 2017

Hey, Good Lookin' is a song created and recorded by Hank Williams as a variation of a song of the same name, similar lyrics, and similar melody written by Cole Porter in 1942. Williams version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. Since its original 1951 recording it has been covered by a variety of artists.

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