Chords in the Key of B Major
The key of B major contains seven diatonic chords built from the notes B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, and A#. With five sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#), B major is a bright, powerful key that demands barre chords on guitar — but rewards you with a full, driving sound that cuts through any mix.
The 7 Triads in B Major
When you harmonize the B major scale in thirds, you get these seven triads. Each chord is built by stacking every other note from the scale:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | I | B major | B – D# – F# | Major |
| 2nd | ii | C# minor | C# – E – G# | Minor |
| 3rd | iii | D# minor | D# – F# – A# | Minor |
| 4th | IV | E major | E – G# – B | Major |
| 5th | V | F# major | F# – A# – C# | Major |
| 6th | vi | G# minor | G# – B – D# | Minor |
| 7th | vii° | A# diminished | A# – C# – E | Diminished |
Notice the pattern: Major – minor – minor – Major – Major – minor – diminished. This pattern is the same for every major key — only the root notes change. You can explore this pattern for any key using the B major scale harmonizer.
Seventh Chords in B Major
Adding a fourth note (the seventh) to each triad creates richer, more colorful chords. These are essential for jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and modern pop:
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Bmaj7 | B – D# – F# – A# | Major 7th |
| ii | C#m7 | C# – E – G# – B | Minor 7th |
| iii | D#m7 | D# – F# – A# – C# | Minor 7th |
| IV | Emaj7 | E – G# – B – D# | Major 7th |
| V | F#7 | F# – A# – C# – E | Dominant 7th |
| vi | G#m7 | G# – B – D# – F# | Minor 7th |
| vii | A#m7b5 | A# – C# – E – G# | Half-diminished |
Common Chord Progressions in B Major
These are the most popular progressions composers use in B major. You can hear and explore all of them in our chord progressions library:
I – V – vi – IV (B – F# – G#m – E)
The most used progression in pop music. In B major, this progression has a bright, anthemic quality. "Don't Stop Believin'" (Journey) famously uses a similar harmonic framework. The B major tonality gives it an uplifting, powerful drive.
I – IV – V (B – E – F#)
The classic three-chord rock foundation in B major. The E major chord is the only open chord available in this key, providing a useful anchor point. Many rock songs use this progression with heavy distortion, where the barre chord voicings create a thick, powerful wall of sound.
ii – V – I (C#m7 – F#7 – Bmaj7)
The essential jazz progression in B major. While less common than flat keys in jazz, B major offers a bright, crystalline quality for seventh chord voicings that can sound striking in jazz-pop and fusion contexts.
vi – IV – I – V (G#m – E – B – F#)
Starting on the vi chord gives a minor-key flavor while staying in B major. The G#m starting point creates an emotional, introspective mood that transitions powerfully through E major before resolving.
The B Major Scale on Guitar
All of these chords are derived from the B major scale. Understanding the scale helps you see why certain chords belong together and how to solo over them. Explore the full fretboard diagram:
- B Major scale — interactive fretboard diagram
- B Major harmonizer — all triads and 7th chords
- B Major arpeggio — fretboard positions
Tips for Composing in B Major
- Master the B barre chord — the B major barre on the 2nd fret (A-shape) or 7th fret (E-shape) is your home base. Practice transitioning smoothly between B, E, and F# barre shapes.
- Use the relative minor — G# minor shares the same notes as B major. Switching between B and G#m sections creates contrast without leaving the key.
- Try a capo — capo on the 2nd fret and play A major shapes, or capo on the 4th fret and play G major shapes. Both approaches give you access to open voicings that ring beautifully in B major.
- Leverage the E chord — E major is the only standard open chord in B major. Use it as a pivot point in your progressions, and let the open strings ring against your barre chords for textural contrast.
- Explore arpeggios for melodic ideas. Playing the notes of each chord individually is a powerful way to create melodies that follow the harmony.
Ready to explore more keys? The same chord-building principles apply to every major scale. Use the scale harmonizer to discover the chords in any key.