How to play the B7 chord on guitar
B dominant seventh (B7) in standard tuning (EADGBE). Play the shape x21202 from the low E string to the high E string. The chord tones are B, D#, F#, A, and the lowest sounding note is B.
Fingering chart
| String | Fret | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (low E) | Muted | Not played |
| 5th (A) | 2 | B |
| 4th (D) | 1 | D# |
| 3rd (G) | 2 | A |
| 2nd (B) | Open | B |
| 1st (high E) | 2 | F# |
Notes and intervals
Formula 1 3 5 b7. This shape sounds each chord tone.
| Note | Degree | Interval from B | In this shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1 | Root (0 semitones) | Yes |
| D# | 3 | Major 3rd (4 semitones) | Yes |
| F# | 5 | Perfect 5th (7 semitones) | Yes |
| A | b7 | Minor 7th (10 semitones) | Yes |
Changing chords from B7
B7 sounds five strings with one string muted: four fretted positions between frets 1 and 2, plus one open string. The quickest changes leave fretted notes where they are, so the hand pivots instead of lifting off the neck. These are the chords in this library that share the most fretted notes with the B7 shape.
- B7 to Bm7: keep three fretted notes in place (5th string fret 2, 3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), two new positions to fret.
- B7 to D: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- B7 to D7: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.
- B7 to Dmaj7: keep two fretted notes in place (3rd string fret 2, 1st string fret 2), one new position to fret.