The B7 chord (B dominant 7) is a popular open chord shape. It uses all four fingers, which can make it challenging when starting out. However, once this shape is mastered, it becomes one of the easiest chords to play, because the shape follows the natural position of the fingers (there is no stretching that is needed). The image below contains the musical notation, chord chart, tabs and scale degrees for the open B7 chord.
How to play the open B7 chord
- Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
- Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your 4th finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
- Strum the first five strings.
B dominant 7 (open chord shape) info
- This shape is an open chord, and the most common (and easiest) way to play the B7 chord.
- It contains the notes (from the 5th string down) B, D#, A, B and F#.
- It contains the 1 (root), 3, b7, 1, and 5 in the key of B.
- It is a Dominant 7 chord.