B7 guitar chord
The B dominant 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in B7
- Notes
- B – D# – F# – A
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – b7
- Name
- B dominant 7th
B7B · D# · F# · A
6 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- Open · C shape
- A shape · 2nd fret
- G shape · 4th fret
- E shape · 7th fret
- D shape · 9th fret
What to play over B7
Start with the chord's own notes — B, D#, F#, A — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- B Mixolydian mode
The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.
- B major pentatonic scale
Five notes that sit right on top of the chord.
- B blues scale
For blues: the ♭3 rubbing against the chord’s 3 is the whole point.
- B Phrygian dominant scale
When the chord resolves to a minor chord a fourth up (V7 to i): the ♭9 and ♭13 pull hard.
Questions
What notes are in a B7 chord?
B7 has 4 notes: B, D#, F#, A. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – b7.
What scale goes with B7?
B Mixolydian mode is the place to start. The dominant chord’s own scale: its four notes plus the 2, 4 and 6.