Also written B♭maj7 or B♭M7
B♭ major 7th contains B♭, D, F, and A. The 6th-fret shape requires a wide stretch from the index to the pinky.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ major 7th is built from the 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the B♭ major scale. The major 7th interval from B♭ to A gives the chord its smooth, resolved character. Compare it to B♭ major, which lacks the A and sounds more straightforward.
B♭ major 7th functions as the I chord in B♭ major, heard in B♭–E♭–F–B♭, the I–IV–V–I. It fits jazz standards, R&B, and mellow pop. Use it over B♭ major or B♭ 5th.
The 6th-fret shape keeps B♭ in the bass for a solid root position. The B♭maj7/F inversion at the 1st fret puts F in the bass, making the chord feel lighter. The B♭maj7/A inversion at the 5th fret has the leading tone A in the bass, adding pull toward B♭.
B♭ major 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 7 7: index finger on the E string at fret 6, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the D string at fret 7 and ring finger on the G string at fret 7.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 8th fret on the 3rd string while the index stays at the 6th fret, creating a wide span.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (5) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 2 | A (7) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (3) |
B♭ major 7th is played in open position as 1 0 0 3: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (7) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
B♭ major 7th is played in open position as 1 1 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 1, middle finger on the A string at fret 1 and ring finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (7) |
B♭ major 7th is played at the 12th fret as 13 13 12 14: middle finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, index finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (3) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (7) |
B♭ major 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (7) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (3) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
B♭ major 7th is written B♭M7 or B♭maj7. The ASCII root spelling is Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
The hardest part is stretching the pinky to the 8th fret while keeping the index on the 6th fret. Practice the stretch slowly to build flexibility.
B♭ major 7th adds the A, the major 7th, to the B♭ major triad. That note creates a more sophisticated, jazzy sound.
Yes, the B♭maj7/F inversion at the 1st fret uses open strings and sits lower on the neck. It sounds warmer and is easier to reach.