Also written B7, B or B Dominant 7th
B 7th contains B, D♯, F♯, and A. The 2-3-2-2 shape stretches the pinky to the third fret while the other fingers hold a compact cluster.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th from B to A gives the chord its dominant quality, and the diminished 5th between D♯ and A forms the tritone. Contrast with B major, which omits the 7th.
B 7th is the V chord in E major, resolving to E major in progressions like E–A–B–E (I–IV–V–I). It also appears in the I–V–vi–IV loop E–B–C♯ minor–A. The dominant sound fits blues, rock, and jazz.
The 2-3-2-2 shape puts D♯ in the bass and is the default. The 4-3-2-0 shape is easier, with an open A string and D♯ still in the bass. The 11th fret barre shape gives a root-position voicing with B in the bass.
B 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 3 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the C string while the other fingers hold the 2nd fret, stretching the hand.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
B 7th is played in open position as 4 3 2 0: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 3 and index finger on the E string at fret 2. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (♭7) |
B 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 5 6: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
B 7th is played at the 7th fret as 8 9 7 9: middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
B 7th is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 11 12: barre your index finger across fret 11 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (♭7) |
B 7th is written as B7 or B. The symbol B7 is standard.
B 7th adds a minor 7th (A) to the B major triad. This creates a tritone with the major 3rd, giving the chord its dominant tension.
B 7th contains the minor 7th A, which is a blue note against the major triad. The tritone between D♯ and A adds a gritty edge common in blues harmony.