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Bmaj7 chord on guitar

Bmaj7 (B major seventh) is B, D♯, F♯ and A♯. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24342. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Bmaj7

B major seventh · B D♯ F♯ A♯ · 1 3 5 7

  • 2nd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    13241BF♯A♯D♯F♯

    x24342

  • 7th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    7fr1342BA♯D♯F♯

    7x887x

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 Bmaj7

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

    x24342
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th 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. Root on the 6th string · 7th fret

    7x887x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 8th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Bmaj7 chord

Bmaj7 is B, D♯, F♯ and A♯, and it sounds soft and dreamy, the sound of lo-fi, R&B and bossa nova. From B, count 4 half steps up to D♯, 3 more to F♯ and 4 more to A♯. Its formula is 1 3 5 7. 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 Bmaj7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Bmaj7

Emaj7021100Bmaj7 to Emaj7 is Imaj7 to IVmaj7, the floating move of lo-fi and neo-soul.C♯m7x46454Bmaj7 to C♯m7 is Imaj7 to ii7, which sets up a ii–V–I back home.G♯m7464444Bmaj7 to G♯m7 is Imaj7 to vi7: they share three notes, so it barely moves.

More guitar chords

Other chords on B

BBmB7Bm7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9B6BdimBm7♭5Bdim7Baug

Major seventh chords on other notes

Cmaj7D♭maj7Dmaj7E♭maj7Emaj7Fmaj7G♭maj7Gmaj7A♭maj7Amaj7B♭maj7

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Bmaj7 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 2nd fret, written x24342. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 3rd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th 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 Bmaj7 chord?

Bmaj7 is B, D♯, F♯ and A♯. In the shape written x24342, the 5th to 1st strings play B, F♯, A♯, D♯ and F♯.

Is Bmaj7 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 2nd fret (x24342) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play Bmaj7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x24342 (2nd fret) and 7x887x (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Bmaj7?

Yes. “Make a beat in B major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where Bmaj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in B major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where Bmaj7 is the Imaj7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in B majorAll guitar chords

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