C7#5 guitar chord (C Dominant 7th, Sharp 5th)

The C 7#5 chord sharpens the fifth of the dominant seventh, giving it a brighter and more striking quality. With notes C, E, G# and Bb, this chord works well for dramatic moments in both jazz and rock. Below, you'll find eight variations how to play the "C 7#5" chord, each featuring finger placements and an audio sample.

• Place a barre using your index finger on the 1st fret from the 2nd to the 5th strings
• Place your middle finger on the D (4th) string at the 2nd fret and press down
• Strum from the 5th string to the 2nd strings

• Stretch out your pinky to the 4th fret of the E (1st) string and press down
• Barre the 1st fret with your index finger, extending over the 2nd to the 5th strings
• Place your ring finger on the G (3rd) string at the 3rd fret and press down
• Use your middle finger to press the D (4th) string down on the 2nd fret
• Now, strum all the strings starting from the 5th string

• Press down on the E (1st) string at the 4th fret using your ring finger
• Use your pinky to press the B (2nd) string down on the 5th fret
• Position your middle finger on the G (3rd) string at the 3rd fret and press down
• With your index finger, press down on the A (5th) string at the 3rd fret
• Now, strum all the strings starting from the 5th string, mute the 4th string

• Place your middle finger on the E (1st) string at the 4th fret and press down
• Press the B (2nd) string on the 5th fret with your ring finger
• Place a barre using your index finger on the 3rd fret from the 3rd to the 5th strings
• Stretch out your pinky to the 6th fret of the D (4th) string and press down
• Now, strum all the strings starting from the 5th string

• With your ring finger, press down on the E (1st) string at the 6th fret
• Apply a barre with your index finger across the 5th fret, covering the 2nd to the 3rd strings
• Press the D (4th) string on the 6th fret with your middle finger
• Now, strum all the strings starting from the 4th string

• Place your pinky on the B (2nd) string at the 9th fret and press down
• Use your ring finger to press the G (3rd) string down on the 9th fret
• Press down on the D (4th) string at the 8th fret using your middle finger
• Position your index finger on the low E (6th) string at the 8th fret and press down
• Now, strum all the strings up to the 2nd string, mute the 5th string

• Apply a barre with your index finger across the 8th fret, covering the 1st to the 4th strings
• Use your ring finger to press the B (2nd) string down on the 9th fret
• Press down on the G (3rd) string at the 9th fret using your middle finger
• Now, strum all the strings starting from the 4th string

• Place a barre using your index finger on the 13th fret from the 2nd to the 5th strings
• Place your middle finger on the D (4th) string at the 14th fret and press down
• Strum from the 5th string to the 2nd strings