Guitar arpeggio
B Dominant 7 Guitar Arpeggio
B Dominant 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from B, D#, F#, and A. It is also commonly called B Dominant Seventh and B7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- B, D#, F#, A
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10
- Chord symbols
- B7
- Also called
- B Dominant SeventhB7
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent B root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the B root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called B Dominant Seventh or B7.
Chord construction and defining tones
B dominant 7 is defined by 3 (D#) and b7 (A). The major third and flat seventh form the tritone that gives a dominant chord its directional tension.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over B7, especially when the chord resolves down a fifth or up a fourth to its tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the B Dominant 7 arpeggio from one B root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Play 3 (D#) and b7 (A) as a two-note guide-tone shape in every position, then add the root and fifth around it.
- Outline B7 and resolve its third and flat seventh by semitone into the next chord when possible.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with B Dominant 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard