Inversions
The same notes with a different one at the bottom, listed from the lowest note up.
| Position | Notes, low to high | Symbol | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | B D♯ F♯ A | B7 | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 1st inversion | D♯ F♯ A B | B7/D♯ | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 2nd inversion | F♯ A B D♯ | B7/F♯ | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
| 3rd inversion | A B D♯ F♯ | B7/A | 1-2-3-5 | 5-3-2-1 |
About this chord
Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7: the major third (M3), perfect fifth (P5) and minor seventh (m7) above the root, B.
Counted in semitones from B, its notes are 0, 4, 7, 10.
A dominant 7th chord adds the minor seventh to a major triad. The tritone between its third and seventh pulls strongly to the chord a fifth below, which is why it is the V7 of a key.
In major keys it is V7 in E major.
In natural minor keys it is VII7 in C♯ minor.
In harmonic minor it is V7 in E minor.
In root position, play it with fingers 1-2-3-5 in the right hand, or 5-3-2-1 in the left hand (1 is the thumb, 5 the little finger).
Find the root first, place the other fingers over the coloured keys, then press them all together so every note sounds at the same time.
Questions and answers
What notes are in the B dominant 7th chord?
The B7 chord has four notes: B, D♯, F♯ and A. Counted from the root, its formula is 1-3-5-♭7.
What is the fingering for the B7 chord?
In root position, use fingers 1-2-3-5 of the right hand or 5-3-2-1 of the left hand. For the inversions: 1st inversion 1-2-3-5 (right hand) or 5-3-2-1 (left hand), 2nd inversion 1-2-3-5 (right hand) or 5-3-2-1 (left hand) and 3rd inversion 1-2-3-5 (right hand) or 5-3-2-1 (left hand).
Which keys contain the B7 chord?
In major keys it is V7 in E major. In natural minor keys it is VII7 in C♯ minor. In harmonic minor it is V7 in E minor.
Practise it
In other keys
The chord list follows pianochord.io by Enkai Ji, used under the MIT licence. Licence