Chord chart for B dominant 7th / A (3rd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

B7/A guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 144 playable shapes

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B dominant 7th / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

B dominant 7th / A (3rd inversion)

B7/A is the B dominant 7th / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord with A in the bass. It uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, and A and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7.

The B dominant 7th dominant 7th chord, formed by adding a minor seventh A to the major triad, creates tension that seeks resolution, typically to the tonic. The combination of the major third D♯ and minor seventh A provides a bluesy, soulful feel, making it essential in jazz, blues, and classical cadences. With A in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of B dominant 7th.

Also written as B7 and Bdom7/A.

Root note: B
Bass note: A
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 144

Chord tones

BD♯F♯A

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x01202

x01202

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x04442

x04442

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string.
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

B Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

F♯ Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

A Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

B7/A shape x01202

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B7/A shape x04442

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B7/A shape 504445

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the fifth string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B7/A shape x04445

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B7/A shape xx7807

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B7/A shape x07807

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B7/A shape xx7877

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  4. 4 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B7/A shape x07877

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in B7/A?

B7/A uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, and A. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7.

What is another name for B7/A?

B7/A is also written as B7 and Bdom7/A.

How do you play B7/A on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string. Let the fifth and second strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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