The B7 chord is an immensely versatile guitar chord used in multiple genres. However, for beginners guitarists it may pose some difficulties.
B7 stands for B dominant 7, and comprises of the notes B, D#, F# and A. It serves well as the V chord of an E major progression.
Triads
A triad is the simplest form of chord in music. Composed of three intervals–root, third and fifth–it determines its quality: major, minor, diminished or augmented.
Triads form the cornerstone of many musical structures, and are an efficient way to expand your chord vocabulary quickly and efficiently.
Guitar chords b7 are built upon a basic triad structure (root, third and fifth). There are various variants on the fretboard which adhere to this same structure and fit this theme.
To form a triad, write out its root note on the staff and draw notes a generic third and fifth above it (i.e. draw a snowperson). Next add key signature or any necessary accidentals as needed to indicate its position; additionally triads may feature notes rearranged or doubled over themselves known as inversion.
Intervals
Intervals form the cornerstone of guitar music – scales, chords and arpeggios alike. While musical alphabet uses letters to represent notes, intervals use numbers instead, which creates learnable shapes on the fretboard.
Intervals may be altered by moving them up or down the fretboard relative to their root note. For example, moving up one fret transforms a perfect fifth interval into a major second; similarly bringing minor seventh interval up one fret gives us diminished seventh.
Understanding intervals is absolutely key to musical development; even altering a chord by just one note can have profound effects on its sound and feel, creating harmony through harmonious chords essential to musical growth.
Start slowly forming the fingerings for this B7 chord and gradually increase speed as you practice. If needed, ChordBank can monitor your playing and provide real-time feedback – helping guide each finger at once!
Scales
The B dominant seventh chord belongs to the Lydian b7 mode or fourth overtone scale. This mode utilizes melodic minor scale notes combined with flattened sharp elevenths (b7) for its basis.
John Lee Hooker employed this chord on his song, “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer”, lending it a rock edge that makes the blues tune even more enjoyable. Jimmy Page also included it when performing Muddy Waters’ song “You Shook Me” for Led Zeppelin.
There are various methods for creating this chord on the fretboard. Beginners might benefit from starting off with an open voicing, which only requires three fingers to form and doesn’t necessitate barre shapes on any string – an open voicing is particularly suitable if they have wide fingerspan or weak pinky fingers. As their skills advance they should progress toward formal shapes for more options and choices.
Rhythm
B7 chords possess an intriguing rhythm that adds impactful momentum to any song, whether country, folk or blues in nature. Knowing how to properly play these chords will allow you to become a better guitarist and musician overall.
The B7 chord is a four-note chord composed of B, D#, F# and A that can be played multiple ways on guitar. One such method would involve using just two fingers without thumb on sixth string – known as barre chord.
One excellent way to master this chord is with ear training: listen to songs that feature this chord and attempt to hum along; this will allow you to quickly learn and remember it accurately. Furthermore, practicing each finger individually will build muscle memory as you become acquainted with its various positions within the chord.