The B7 Guitar Chord

The B7 or B dominant 7th chord, which is distinctly different from the B major chord, is not the chord that will come to mind when you think of chords frequently used in popular songs. It certainly is not one of the guitar chords that is taught when first learning to play guitar.

This brash-sounding, bright chord has found its way into many popular songs of different genres. It is widely used in genres like country, blues, rock, pop, and jazz.

It can be slightly more challenging to play than other open chords, but it is a flexible, fun chord to play and can be played in many different positions on the guitar’s neck.

This article will teach you how to play the B7 chord in an open position and learn about the notes that make up this chord. If you’re still at the beginning stages, I would start with an easier lesson such as the G Major Scale Guitar. Or if you’re at the very beginning stages, see the Guitar Strings and Notes.

Notes and Intervals of the B7 Chord

Four notes make up the B7 chord: B, D#, F#, and A. We have talked about chord formulas that make up minor chords and major chords. Seventh chords, like the B7 chord, make use of a slightly different procedure.

By adding a flattened 7th note of the B major scale to your standard major chord formula, you will get a B7 chord. That extra 7th note gives the B7 chord its unique characteristic.

To form the B7 chord, you combine the root, major third, perfect fifth, and flat seventh of the B major scale.

The B major scale notes are B–C#–D#–E–F#–G#–A#. Using the seven-chord formula, which is 1–3–5-7b, we arrive at the notes B–D#–F#–A. Note that the 7th note of the scale is lowered by a halftone. So instead of playing A#, we play the note A. Just add a flat 7 to a standard B major chord to have a B7 chord.

How to Play the B7 Open Position

Now that we have dealt with the musical theory behind constructing a B7 chord, it’s time to play the chord. One of the most common ways to play the B7 chord is in the open position, using standard tuning. To play the B7 chord on the guitar, you have to place your fingers on the following frets and strings:

• Place your first finger on the first fret of the fourth (D) string
• Place your second finger on the second fret of the fifth (A) string.
• Place your third finger on the second fret of the third (G) string.
• Place your pinky finger on the 2nd fret of the E (1st) string.

The sixth string in this chord is muted when you play this chord, so strum five strings down from the A (5th) string, muting your low E (6th) string.

Now you need to practice playing this chord.  Most of my students have trouble with this chord at first, so don’t feel bad if it is not coming to you right away.  Start adding this chord to your chord progressions.

Play the following chords and work on the change between the chords:

Em–B7-Em-B7-Am-C.

Use a down, down, down strumming pattern until you are comfortable holding the chord.

You can speed up your strumming using a down, down-up strumming pattern once you start nailing the chord.

How to Play the B7 Barre Chord Position

You can also play the B7 chord using the second position, which is a barre chord shape. The chord begins with the bass note on the second fret in this position, so we call it the second position. To play the B7 barre chord in the second position:

• Place your index (first) finger across the first five strings of the second fret. Your first finger should hold down the A, D, G, B, and E strings on the second fret.  You do not need to hold down the sixth string – this will be muted.
• Place your third finger on the third string (D String) fourth fret.
• Place your fourth finger on the fifth string (B String) fourth fret.

Songs with the B7 Chord

There are some easy songs that use the B7 chord.  The B7 chord is widely used in blues songs, but it is also used in rock and jazz songs.  Below are some easy songs that incorporate the B7 chord.  Give them a try!

1. 1. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown: G-A7-B7-C-D
   2. Sweet Home Chicago: E7-A7-B7
   3. Norwegian Wood: D-Em-A-B7 (My interpretation of the song – give it a try)
   4. Barbara Ann: E-A-B7
   5. Folsom Prison Blues: B7-E-A