Also written Bmaj7 or BM7
B major 7th is built from B, D♯, F♯, and A♯. The default voicing uses a partial barre across the top two strings, making it an advanced grip.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th above the root. The major 7th interval gives the chord its lush, unresolved quality. Compare it with B major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
Play B major 7th as the I chord in B major progressions like I–IV–V–I (B–E–F♯–B). It suits jazz, neo-soul, and dreamy pop. The chord also works over B major or B lydian melodies.
The default Bmaj7/D♯ inversion puts D♯ in the bass, giving a smooth, connected sound. The Bmaj7/F♯ inversion at the 4th fret places F♯ in the bass for a more grounded feel.
B major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 3 and ring finger on the C string at fret 3.
Tip — The index finger must barre the E and A strings cleanly while the middle and ring fingers reach the 3rd fret on the G and C strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | A♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
B major 7th is played at the 1st fret as 4 3 2 1: pinky finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and index finger on the A string at fret 1.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (7) |
B major 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 6 6: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
B major 7th is written as BM7 or Bmaj7.
B major 7th has a major 7th interval (A♯), while B dominant 7th has a minor 7th (A). The major 7th creates a smoother, more consonant sound.
The major 7th interval (A♯) is a leading tone that pulls toward the root B. This tension gives the chord its characteristic longing quality.