Also written Bmaj7 or BM7
B major 7th contains B, D♯, F♯, and A♯. The 7th-fret shape demands a wide pinky stretch across four frets.
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 bright, resolved quality. Compare it to B major, which omits the A♯ and sounds more plain.
B major 7th is the I chord in B major, as in B–E–F♯–B, the I–IV–V–I. It works for jazz fusion, progressive rock, and atmospheric pop. Use it over B major or B 5th.
The 7th-fret shape places B in the bass for a strong root position. The Bmaj7/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret has F♯ in the bass, giving a lighter feel. The Bmaj7/A♯ inversion at the 6th fret puts the leading tone A♯ in the bass, creating tension that resolves to B.
B major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 8 8: index finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and ring finger on the G string at fret 8.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 9th fret on the 3rd string while the index stays at the 7th fret, stretching the hand.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 2 | A♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
B major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 1 3: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 4 | A♯ (7) |
B major 7th is played at the 13th fret as 14 14 13 15: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, index finger on the D string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 15 | 4 | A♯ (7) |
B major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 6 6 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and ring finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
B major 7th is written BM7 or Bmaj7.
Bassists often let the pinky collapse and buzz the 3rd string. Keep the pinky curved and press firmly.
Playing B major 7th at the 14th fret gives a brighter, more shimmering tone. The same notes ring out with less low-end weight.
B major 7th adds the A♯, the major 7th, to the B major triad. That extra note creates a dreamier, more resolved sound than B major.