The B 7 Chord Explained
B dominant seventh is a Dominant chord family chord built from the notes B, D♯, F♯, and A. Its root is B, and its interval number formula is 1–3–5–♭7, which gives you the interval names root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. You may also see it written as B7, B dom7, or plain-text B dominant 7. If you look at the widget above, you can see and hear how these four notes combine, and if you want to learn more about how formulas like 1–3–5–♭7 work, this guide to chord intervals is a helpful next step.
B 7 Alternate Names
- B7
- B dominant 7
- B dom7
B 7 Chord Notes
B 7 Chord Formula
B 7 Chord Notation
How To Use B 7 In Music
Because it contains a major triad plus a minor seventh, B7 has a bright but restless sound that strongly wants to resolve, often by moving to E or E minor depending on the key and style. Beginners often hear it as tense, bluesy, punchy, or driving, which is why it appears so often in rock, blues, jazz, country, and pop. For example, in the key of E major, B7 functions as V7 in a I–IV–V7 progression such as E–A–B7, and in a jazzier turnaround you might hear ii–V–I as F♯m–B7–E. The exact mood changes with the chords around it: after calmer chords it sounds more urgent, while beside other tense chords it can feel smoother and more directional. If you are new to this sound, it also helps to compare it with a dominant chord in general.
B 7 Chord Inversions
Another useful idea is inversion, which means the chord still contains the same notes but a note other than the root is placed at the bottom. For B7 in root position, B is the lowest note; in 1st inversion, D♯ is lowest; in 2nd inversion, F♯ is lowest; and in 3rd inversion, A is lowest. These can be written as B7/D♯, B7/F♯, and B7/A. Inversions do not change the chord’s basic identity, but they do change its weight, smoothness, and sense of motion. A root-position B7 often sounds strongest and most final as a dominant sonority, while B7/A can sound especially unsettled because the seventh is in the bass. Players use inversions to create smoother bass lines, make chord changes easier, and shape the mood with a softer or more flowing connection between harmonies.
