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B major 7th chord on ukulele (Bmaj7)
Also called or written Bmaj7 or BM7
B major 7th is built from B, D♯, F♯, and A♯. This 4th-fret grip repeats the same four-fret stretch as other major 7th shapes, so it demands a flexible left hand.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7
How do you play a B major 7th chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
AdvancedThe index finger at fret 4 and pinky at fret 6 force a wide stretch, and the middle and ring fingers must crowd onto fret 6 without muting each other.
Bmaj7/D♯ inversion
B major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 2: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 2.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | A♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B major 7th stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 7th above B. The major 7th interval is what separates it from B major, which stops at the perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with B major 7th?
- The ring finger touches the A string, muting the pinky's note.
- The index finger presses too far from the fret, making the G string buzz.
- The middle finger leans on the E string, dulling its sound.
When to use it
B major 7th works as the I chord in B major, such as B–E–F♯–B (I–IV–V–I). It also fits the I–V–vi–IV progression B–F♯–G♯ minor–E. Use it for jazz ballads or R&B grooves that need a bright, shimmering major color.
Changing to and from B major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 2nd fret gives A major 7th.
- From B major, lift the pinky and add the middle and ring fingers on fret 6 for B major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret voicing puts B in the bass for a root-position sound. The Bmaj7/A♯ inversion at frets 3-3-2-2 places the major 7th in the bass, creating a softer, less grounded effect.
Other B chords
Common questions
Why does my B major 7th sound muddy?
Check that the middle and ring fingers are not touching adjacent strings. The three fingers on fret 6 must press straight down, and the pinky must clear the E string.
Can I use the Bmaj7/A♯ inversion as a substitute?
Yes, but it has A♯ in the bass, which makes it less stable than the root position. Use it when you want a passing chord that leads to B major.
How does B major 7th differ from B major?
B major 7th adds the note A♯, a major 7th above B. This extra note gives the chord a dreamier, more sophisticated sound than the plain major triad.