Explore chords · Guitar
B 7th chord on guitar (B7)
Also called or written B7, B, B Dominant 7th or B Major Minor 7th
B 7th contains B, D♯, F♯, and A. The open shape uses a four-finger stretch with the second string open, creating a bright dominant sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionB–D♯–F♯–AB7×-2-1-2-0-2
- First inversionD♯–F♯–A–BB7/D♯×-×-1-2-0-2
- Second inversionF♯–A–B–D♯B7/F♯2-0-1-2-0-2
- Third inversionA–B–D♯–F♯B7/A×-0-1-2-0-2
How do you play a B 7th chord on guitar?
B 7th is played in open position as × 2 1 2 0 2: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The B string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe open shape requires a wide stretch from the index on the 1st fret to the pinky on the 2nd fret while keeping the B string open.
2nd fret
B 7th is played at the 2nd fret as × 2 4 2 4 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
7th fret
B 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 8 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
9th fret
B 7th is played at the 9th fret as × × 9 11 10 11: index finger on the D string at fret 9, ring finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the B string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 11. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
B7/D♯ inversion
B 7th is played in open position as × × 1 2 0 2: index finger on the D string at fret 1, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The B string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, adding a minor seventh to the B major triad. The ♭7 creates the dominant pull that defines the chord. Compare it with B major, which stops at the major third and fifth.
What goes wrong with B 7th?
- Letting the low E string ring, which adds a non-chord tone.
- Touching the open B string with the fretting hand, muting it.
- Fretting the high E string with the ring finger instead of the pinky, causing a buzz.
When to use it
B 7th is the V chord in E major, appearing in progressions like E–A–B–E (I–IV–V–I). It suits rock, blues, and folk. Resolve it to E major.
Changing to and from B 7th
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 1st fret to play B♭ 7th.
- Move to E major by lifting the pinky and placing the index on the G string, 1st fret, while keeping the A and D strings.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the easiest and keeps the root on the A string. The 2nd fret barre shape adds the low E string for a fuller sound. The B7/D♯ inversion puts the third in the bass for a lighter feel.
Other B chords
Common questions
Why is the low E string muted in B 7th?
The open E is not a chord tone of B 7th, so it would add an outside note. Muting it keeps the voicing clean.
How does B 7th differ from B major?
B 7th adds an A note, the minor seventh, to the B major triad. That note gives the chord its dominant tension.
Can I play B 7th as a barre chord?
Yes, the 2nd fret barre shape is a moveable voicing with the root on the A string. It is useful for higher positions.