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Guitar chord · Beginner

B 7th chord (B7) — guitar chord chart

B7 is a dominant 7th chord built on B. Its notes are B, D♯, F♯, A. The flat 7th adds tension that wants to resolve, which is why dominant 7th chords drive blues and lead back to the home chord.

B7 chord charts

B7 — Open position×○2134EADGBe
Open position
B7 — A shape · fret 2×341EADGBe
A shape · fret 2
B7 — E shape · fret 77321EADGBe
E shape · fret 7

Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.

How to play B7

  1. Middle (2) on the 5th string, fret 2 (B).
  2. Index (1) on the 4th string, fret 1 (E♭).
  3. Ring (3) on the 3rd string, fret 2 (A).
  4. Little finger (4) on the 1st string, fret 2 (F♯).
  5. Let string 2 ring open.
  6. Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play string 6.
  7. Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.

Once the open shape is comfortable, try the barre version at fret 2: same chord, higher voice, and a shape you can move all over the neck.

Notes in B7

DegreeNoteInterval
1Broot
3D♯major 3rd
5F♯perfect 5th
♭7Aminor 7th

Progressions with B7

12-bar blues in B

4 bars I7, 2 bars IV7, 2 bars I7, V7–IV7, I7–V7.

V7–I resolving to E
ii–V7–I in E

Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.

FAQ

What notes are in the B7 chord?
B7 (B 7th) has 4 notes: B, D♯, F♯, A.
Is B7 hard to play?
No — the open-position shape needs no barre, so it’s a good beginner chord.
What’s the difference between B7 and B?
B is B D♯ F♯. The flat 7th adds tension that wants to resolve, which is why dominant 7th chords drive blues and lead back to the home chord.