Explore chords · Ukulele
B chord on ukulele (B major)
Also called or written B, Bmaj, BM or B chord
B major contains B, D♯ and F♯. The 2nd fret shape is an intermediate grip that uses all four fingers in a compact cluster.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5
How do you play a B major chord on ukulele?
B major is played at the 2nd fret as 4 3 2 2: pinky finger on the G string at fret 4, ring 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) | 4 | 4 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
IntermediateThe 2nd fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other.
9th fret · ×-11-11-9
B major is played at the 9th fret as × 11 11 9: middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 9. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
B/F♯ inversion
B major is played at the 6th fret as 8 6 7 6: pinky finger on the G string at fret 8, index finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
9th fret · 11-11-11-9
B major is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 11 9: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B major is built from the root, major third and perfect fifth — 1, 3, 5. The major third D♯ gives the chord its bright quality. Lower that third by one semitone to D and you get B minor.
What goes wrong with B major?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the C string.
- Not pressing the A string firmly enough, causing a buzz.
- Hitting the open G string when moving from another chord.
When to use it
B major is the tonic in B major, heard in progressions like B–E–F♯, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in B major: B–F♯–G♯ minor–E. Use it for rock, pop and songs in sharp keys. Compare B 5th for a leaner two-note sound.
Changing to and from B major
- Move to C major by shifting the whole shape up one fret, keeping the same finger pattern.
- Slide the 2nd fret shape down one fret to the 1st fret to reach B♭ major.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret shape is the default, but the 9th fret shape is easier for some players because it uses only three strings. The B/D♯ inversion puts the third in the bass for a smoother voice leading into E major.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B major written?
B major is written as B, Bmaj or BM.
What is the difference between B major and B minor?
B major has a major third, D♯, while B minor has a minor third, D. This changes the chord from bright to sombre.
Why is the 2nd fret shape considered intermediate?
The 2nd fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other, which is challenging for beginners.