FMFretboardMentor
PL

B Chord on Guitar

B is the B major chord — 3 notes (B, D♯, F♯) built from the formula 1 3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: B · D♯ · F♯Formula: 1 · 3 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

B: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • B – open position×R3RR5open position
  • B – fret 2×R5R35fret 2
  • B – fret 44R35R3Rfret 4
  • B – fret 77R5R35Rfret 7
  • B – fret 99××R5R3fret 9
  • B – fret 1111×R35R3fret 11

B: Triad voicings (3 strings)

  • B – bass: R4R35×××bass: R
  • B – bass: R11×R35××bass: R
  • B – bass: R7××R35×bass: R
  • B – bass: R×××R35bass: R
  • B – bass: 3935R×××bass: 3
  • B – bass: 34×35R××bass: 3
  • B – bass: 311××35R×bass: 3
  • B – bass: 37×××35Rbass: 3
  • B – bass: 55R3×××bass: 5
  • B – bass: 58×5R3××bass: 5
  • B – bass: 5××5R3×bass: 5
  • B – bass: 511×××5R3bass: 5

Keys that contain B

Scales to play over B

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain B, D♯, F♯.

Other B chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the B chord?
B (B major) contains B, D♯, F♯ — formula 1 3 5.
How do you play B on guitar?
A common shape is x21402 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with B?
Good choices to solo over B: B Ionian (Major), B Lydian, B Major pentatonic.
What key is B in?
B is diatonic in E major (V), F♯ major (IV), B major (I), C♯ minor (♭VII), E♭ minor (♭VI), G♯ minor (♭III).