Explore scales · Guitar
B major scale on guitar
B major uses the notes B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 and places the root on the fifth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B major scale on guitar?
B major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 13 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the G string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–9
B major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B major in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern. The B major pentatonic removes the fourth and seventh degrees. The D♯ and A♯ give the scale its bright, leading-tone character.
When to use it
B major fits B major and B 5th chords. It also works over the key's diatonic chords like E major and F♯ major. Use it for bright rock and pop lead lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 5, fret 2 keeps the scale compact and easy to visualise.
Common questions
What notes are in the B major scale?
B major contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. The scale has five sharps. It is the Ionian mode on B.
Which chords fit the B major scale?
B major works over B major and B 5th chords. It also fits E major and F♯ major. The seventh degree, A♯, creates a strong pull to B.
What is the relative minor of B major?
The relative minor of B major is G♯ minor. Both scales share the same key signature of five sharps. G♯ minor starts on the sixth degree of B major.