B dominant 7th · Ukulele
B7 Chord on Ukulele
The B7 chord (B dominant 7th) is built from the notes B, D#, F# and A. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 4 (G): fret 2 — index finger
- string 3 (C): fret 3 — middle finger
- string 2 (E): fret 2 — index finger
- string 1 (A): fret 2 — index finger
Notes in this chord
- B
- D♯
- F♯
- A
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7
How to play
Every ukulele shape for B7 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 2. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.
Theory behind the chord
Dominant seventh chords add a minor seventh on top of a major triad. The tension between the third and the seventh is what makes them pull towards the chord a fourth above — the engine of blues and jazz turnarounds. On B7 this structure sits on the root B, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 map onto B, D#, F# and A.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the B7 chord?
- B7 contains the notes B, D#, F# and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play B7?
- Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for B7, and it is a barre shape.
- Is the B7 chord hard to play?
- B7 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Practise B7 on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
