Welcome to the newest segment of Chord by Chord, a series aimed at enhancing your grasp of harmony and fretboard navigation. In our previous session, we delved into the E7 chord. Today, we’ll persist in our examination of dominant sevenths, focusing on the B7 guitar chord.
How to Play the B7 Guitar Chord
If you’ve been keeping up with our lessons, you already know that a dominant seventh chord consists of a major triad with a flattened seventh. Example 1 demonstrates the notes in a B major triad—B, D#, and F#—while Example 2 exhibits a B7 chord (B D# F# A).
To transition from a B barre chord in the second position to a B7 chord, consider Examples 3a and 3b. Note that Example 3a features an open voicing, while Example 3b showcases a barre shape. Example 4 illustrates how to achieve a B7 voicing on the top four strings, with the fifth (F#) in the bass. Interestingly, you may have noticed that this B7 shape mirrors the open A7 chord you previously learned, but shifted up two frets.
In Example 5, we demonstrate crafting a B7 barre chord in the seventh position. This shape is also movable—simply shift it down two frets for A7 and another two frets for G7, and so forth. As we ascend the neck, Example 6 reveals how to attain a B7 voicing in the ninth position.
Guitar Songs Utilizing the B7 Chord
Here are some songs that feature the B7 guitar chord:
- “Before You Accuse Me” by Eric Clapton
- “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Hank Williams
- “Hey Hey” by Eric Clapton
- “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
- “Rock and Roll Music” by Chuck Berry
- “Feelin’ Alright” by Traffic
- “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash
- “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
- “Move It On Over” by Hank Williams
- “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
These songs incorporate the B7 chord in various ways, providing great practice opportunities for mastering this chord on guitar.
FAQs B7 Guitar Chord
Here’s a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) specifically about the B7 guitar chord:
1. Is B7 A hard chord?
For many beginners, the B7 chord can be challenging due to its finger positioning and the need for finger strength and dexterity. However, with consistent practice and patience, the B7 chord becomes more manageable over time. Breaking down the chord into smaller parts, practicing finger exercises, and gradually increasing the tempo can all help improve your ability to play the B7 chord smoothly
2. Is B7 the same as B major 7?
B7 and B major 7 are not the same chord. They are different types of seventh chords, each with its own distinct sound and chord structure. So while both chords include the notes B, D#, and F#, the difference lies in the seventh note of the chord. In B7, the seventh is A (minor seventh), while in B major 7, the seventh is A# (major seventh)
3. In which musical styles is the B7 chord commonly used?
The B7 chord is frequently used in blues, rock, country, and folk music, among other genres.
4. Are there any common chord progressions that include the B7 chord?
Yes, the B7 chord often appears in classic blues progressions, such as the I-IV-V progression (B7-E7-F#7).
5. How can I practice transitioning to and from the B7 chord?
Practice switching between the B7 chord and other chords commonly used in the same key, such as E, F#, and G#m, to improve your chord transitions.
6. What is the role of the B7 chord in blues music?
In blues, the B7 chord is often used as the dominant chord, creating tension that resolves to the tonic chord (E in the key of E blues).
7. Can I use the B7 chord in my own songwriting and improvisation?
Absolutely! Experiment with incorporating the B7 chord into your own compositions and improvisations to add color and variety to your music.
8. Are there any common embellishments or variations of the B7 chord?
Yes, you can add embellishments such as the B7sus4 or B7#9 to create different textures and sounds
By now, you should have a strong grasp of constructing the B7 guitar chord across various positions on the fretboard. An iconic song that prominently features this chord is “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash. (It’s worth noting that Cash utilizes a capo at the first fret, resulting in the chord sounding as C7.) In our forthcoming lesson, we’ll delve deeper into the nuances of the B7 guitar chord and its applications.