Guitar arpeggio
Bb Dominant 7 Guitar Arpeggio
Bb Dominant 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from Bb, D, F, and Ab. It is also commonly called Bb Dominant Seventh and Bb7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Bb, D, F, Ab
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10
- Chord symbols
- Bb7
- Also called
- Bb Dominant SeventhBb7
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Bb root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Bb Dominant Seventh or Bb7.
Chord construction and defining tones
Bb dominant 7 is defined by 3 (D) and b7 (Ab). The major third and flat seventh form the tritone that gives a dominant chord its directional tension.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Bb7, especially when the chord resolves down a fifth or up a fourth to its tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Bb Dominant 7 arpeggio from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Play 3 (D) and b7 (Ab) as a two-note guide-tone shape in every position, then add the root and fifth around it.
- Outline Bb7 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 Bb Dominant 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard