Also written B, Bmaj or BM
B major contains the notes B, D♯, and F♯. This intermediate shape stretches the fretting hand across four frets, making clean note separation the main challenge.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B major is built from the formula 1, 3, 5: root B, major third D♯, and perfect fifth F♯. The major third, four semitones above the root, gives the chord its bright, stable quality. Lower that third by one semitone to D and you get B minor, the parallel minor with a darker sound.
B major appears as the I chord in the I–IV–V–I progression B–E–F♯–B in B major. It also works as the IV chord in F♯ major and the V chord in E major. Use B major for bright rock, country, and pop bass lines that need a strong root.
The 7th fret voicing puts the root B in the bass, giving a solid, grounded sound. For a lighter feel, use the B/D♯ inversion, which places the third in the bass and adds forward motion. The B/F♯ inversion with the fifth in the bass works well when you want a less assertive low end.
B major is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 9 8: index finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 9, pinky finger on the D string at fret 9 and middle finger on the G string at fret 8.
Tip — The stretch from the index finger on the 7th fret to the pinky on the 9th fret requires wide finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 4 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
B major is played at the 9th fret as 11 9 9 11: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, index finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
B major is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 1 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
B major is played at the 8th fret as × 9 9 8: middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and index finger on the G string at fret 8. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
B major is played at the 13th fret as 14 14 13 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14 and index finger on the D string at fret 13. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
B major is written as B, Bmaj, or BM. There is no enharmonic spelling for B major.
B major has a major third (D♯), while B minor has a minor third (D). This single note changes the chord from bright to dark. The fifth, F♯, is the same in both chords.
Yes, the B/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret on the 4th and 3rd strings and 1st fret on the 2nd. String omits the high G string. This voicing sits lower and works well when the bass needs to stay out of the guitar's range.