B7 Ukulele Chord

B7 is the B dominant seventh chord. It has four notes: B, D sharp, F sharp and A. The shape is a barre: the index lies flat across all four strings at the 2nd fret while the middle finger takes the 3rd fret of the C string.

Index flat across all four strings at the 2nd fret, middle on the 3rd fret of the C string. The barre supplies three of the four notes.

How to play B7 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the G to A strings at fret 2
Middle finger: 3rd fret, C string
Strum all four strings.

If you have never played a barre chord, this is the one to start on. Four narrow strings near the nut is as friendly as a barre gets, and the same grip slides up the neck: two frets higher it is C#7, three higher D7.

More ways to play B7

There are 3 common B7 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

B7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 6, played 4656 — Frets 4 to 6

B7 ukulele chord diagram, frets 6 to 8, played 8670 — Frets 6 to 8

If the barre will not ring

The A string dies under the barre: The index is pressing with its soft middle. Roll it slightly onto its bony edge and let the thumb behind the neck squeeze, not the hand.
The C string sounds muffled: The middle finger has to clear its neighbours: curl it so the tip lands on the C string alone, and the barre note under it on the E string can still speak.
The whole chord buzzes: Move the barre closer behind the 2nd fret. Distance from the fret, not lack of force, causes most barre buzz.

What makes it a B7

B · D♯ · F♯ · A 1 3 5 ♭7

B7 is a dominant seventh: a B major triad (B, D sharp, F sharp) plus a minor seventh, A. The seventh gives it a job: B7 is the V7 of E, and it pulls toward E major and E minor harder than anything else in those keys.

On the ukulele the barre also doubles as a lesson. The index does what the nut does for open chords, which is why this exact grip, moved up or down, produces every seventh chord: B7 at the 2nd fret is Bb7 one fret lower and C7 open.

B7 vs B

B major on the ukulele is a genuine handful: 4322, with a stretch and four working fingers. B7 is a flat index and one more finger. As on the guitar, most players can play B7 long before a clean B.

The difference in sound is the seventh, A. B says arrival; B7 says one more step, usually to E. Where a song in E asks for B and your B major is not ready yet, B7 will usually carry the change.

B7 chord questions

Is B7 easier than B?

Yes. B major (4322) needs four fingers and a stretch; B7 is an index barre plus one finger. Learn B7 first and grow into B.

Is B7 a good first barre chord?

The best one on the instrument. Four narrow strings at the 2nd fret need far less strength than any guitar barre, and success here pays off on every other barre shape.

What does B7 resolve to?

E. B7 is the V7 chord of E major and E minor, so songs in E lean on it constantly.

Is the barre really across all four strings?

Yes, and the E string note comes from the barre itself: index across everything at the 2nd fret, middle added on the C string at the 3rd.

Where is B7 used?

In songs in E at every turnaround, in blues in E beside E7 and A7, and in older swing tunes that walk sevenths around the circle.