B Chord on Guitar
Notes B D♯ F♯. B major has no common open shape, so start with the 4-string B (x x 4 4 4 2), then the A-shape barre at fret 2.
Chord · B major
Easy B (4 strings) · x x 4 4 4 2
movable, no open strings
A-shape barre (fret 2) · x 2 4 4 4 2
barre, movable
E-shape barre (fret 7) · 7 9 9 8 7 7
barre, movable
D-shape, 4 strings (fret 9) · x x 9 11 12 11
movable, no open strings
1 B3 D♯5 F♯
- Barre: ring finger flat across strings 4 to 2 at fret 4
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 4
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 4
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 4
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 2
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 5 to 1 at fret 2
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 2
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 4
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 4
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 4
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 2
- Barre: index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at fret 7
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 7
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 9
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 9
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 8
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 7
- String 1 (high e): index (1), fret 7
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 9
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 11
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 12
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 11
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | root |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 3 5 (major).
Also written B major.
More on this chord type: Barre chords
Capo shapes that sound as B
Open shapes you may already know, moved up with a capo.
A shape + capo 2
G shape + capo 4
E shape + capo 7
Need the capo fret for a whole song? Capo calculator: any song key, any shapes. New to the capo? How to use a capo.
Easier stand-in
B7
Open shape, no barre. It adds A, so it fits where B leads back to E (the V chord in E major), not everywhere B is written.
Progressions with B
| Key · progression | Chords | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| B major I–V–vi–IV | B – F♯ – G♯m – E | |
| B major I–IV–V–I | B – E – F♯ – B | |
| E major I–vi–IV–V | E – C♯m – A – B | |
| E major vi–IV–I–V | C♯m – A – E – B | |
| G♯ minor i–VI–III–VII | G♯m – E – B – F♯ |
Keys that contain B
| Key | B is the |
|---|---|
| B major | I |
| E major | V |
| F♯ major | IV |
| G♯ minor | III |
| C♯ minor | VII |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing B: what goes wrong
Why B is hard
B major is B, D♯, F♯. Of the six open strings only B is a chord tone, so every other string needs a finger or must stay silent. That is why B is always a barre or a small shape.
The ring-finger barre
In the A-shape at fret 2 the ring finger lies flat across strings 4, 3 and 2 at fret 4. If the high e keeps getting muted by it, play x 2 4 4 4 x: the chord still has all three notes.
Related chords
Learn and practise B
- Metronomepractise the change to B at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in B?
B, D♯, F♯: the 1, 3, 5 of the B major chord.
What is the easiest way to play B on guitar?
The 4-string B: index on string 1 at fret 2, ring finger flat across strings 4, 3 and 2 at fret 4, strings 5 and 6 not played. Or put a capo on fret 2 and play an A shape.