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B major chord on guitar

B major is B, D♯ and F♯. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24442. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

B

B major · B D♯ F♯ · 1 3 5

  • 2nd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    12341BF♯BD♯F♯

    x24442

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    7fr134211BF♯BD♯F♯B

    799877

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are B, the root.

How to play B major

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 2nd fret

    x24442
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 7th fret

    799877
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 9th fret.

Notes in the B major chord

B major is B, D♯ and F♯, and it sounds bright and settled, the sound of home in a major key. From B, count 4 half steps up to D♯ and 3 more to F♯. Its formula is 1 3 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with B lowest. See its inversions and keys on the B major piano chord page.

Chords that often come after B

E022100B to E is I to IV, the lift in countless pop, folk and gospel songs.F♯xx4322B to F♯ is I to V, the chord that pulls back to B.G♯m466444B to G♯m is I to vi, the turn to the sad side of the key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on B

BmB7Bmaj7Bm7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9B6BdimBm7♭5Bdim7Baug

Major chords on other notes

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play B major on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24442. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the B major chord?

B major is B, D♯ and F♯. In the shape written x24442, the 5th to 1st strings play B, F♯, B, D♯ and F♯.

Is B a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 2nd fret (x24442) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play B on guitar?

This page shows two: x24442 (2nd fret) and 799877 (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

What is the difference between B and Bm on guitar?

One note, the third. B major is B D♯ F♯ and B minor is B D F♯: D is a half step below D♯. In the barre shapes, that is one string's note moving down a fret.

Can I make a beat with B major?

Yes. “Make a beat with this chord” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, starting on B. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat with B major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, starting on B. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat with this chordAll guitar chords

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