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B7(Dominant 7th Chord)

A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

Notes
B – D# – F# – A
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 4 – 7 – 10
Type
7th Chord

🎹 B7 on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the B7 chord.

R
B(Root (R))
2
D#(Major 3rd)
3
F#(Perfect 5th)
4
A(Minor 7th (♭7))

🎸 B7 on Guitar

The B7 chord uses notes B, D#, F#, A. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in B
RootRoot (R)0B
3rdMajor 3rd4D#
5thPerfect 5th7F#
7thMinor 7th (♭7)10A

About the B Dominant 7th Chord

The B7 chord (B Dominant 7th) consists of 4 notes: B, D#, F#, A. A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic.

To build any dominant 7th chord, apply intervals of 0, 4, 7, 10 semitones above the root. Starting from B: the notes land on B, D#, F#, A.

Playing B7 on Piano

Press B, D#, F#, A simultaneously. In root position, B is lowest. First inversion places D# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses F# as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using B7

  • I–IV–V: B7 – E7 – F#7 (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: B7 – F# – G#m – E (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: B7 – G#m – E – F# (50s progression)

The B7 Chord in Context

As a dominant 7th chord, B7 is the tonic (I) in the key of B major. It also appears as the IV chord in F# major, and as the V chord in E major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other B Chords

B
Major
Bm
Minor
Bmaj7
Major 7th
Bm7
Minor 7th
Bdim
Diminished
Baug
Augmented

Dominant 7th Chord in All 12 Keys

C7C#7D7D#7E7F7F#7G7G#7A7A#7B7
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play B7 on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 B Scale
Notes that fit B7
🎶 Songs
Find songs using B7

FAQ

B7 Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the B7 chord?
The B Dominant 7th chord contains: B, D#, F#, A. These notes are derived by applying the dominant 7th interval formula (0–4–7–10 semitones) to the root note B.
What is the B7 chord used for?
A major triad with a minor seventh. Creates harmonic tension that resolves to the tonic. The B7 chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of B major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play B7 on piano?
On piano, play B, D#, F#, A simultaneously. In root position, B is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has D# lowest, second inversion has F# lowest.
How many notes are in a dominant 7th chord?
A dominant 7th chord has 4 notes: B, D#, F#, A (in B). It is a 7th chord, extending beyond the basic triad.
What is the difference between B major and B minor?
The B major chord (B–D#–F#) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The B minor chord (B–D–F#) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does B7 belong to?
B7 naturally serves as the I chord in the key of B major. It also appears as IV in the key of F# major, and as V in the key of E major.
Can I play B7 on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The B7 chord notes (B, D#, F#, A) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with B7?
In the key of B major, B7 pairs naturally with E major (IV), F# major (V), and G#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (B7–E–F#) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of B7?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. B7 root position: B in bass. First inversion: D# in bass. Second inversion: F# in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a dominant 7th chord?
Remember the formula: 0–4–7–10 semitones from root. For B7: start on B, add 4 semitones, then 7 semitones, then 10 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any dominant 7th chord.