B♭maj7 guitar chord
The B♭ major 7th chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in B♭maj7
- Notes
- B♭ – D – F – A
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5 – 7
- Name
- B♭ major 7th
B♭maj7B♭ · D · F · A
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- A shape · 1st fret
- E shape · 6th fret
- D shape · 8th fret
What to play over B♭maj7
Start with the chord's own notes — B♭, D, F, A — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- B♭ major scale
The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).
- B♭ Lydian mode
The ♯4 replaces the 4 that clashes with the chord’s 3rd — the sound of a IVmaj7.
- B♭ major pentatonic scale
Five notes with no clash, a safe and open sound.
Questions
What notes are in a B♭maj7 chord?
B♭maj7 has 4 notes: B♭, D, F, A. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7.
What scale goes with B♭maj7?
B♭ major scale is the place to start. The major scale, when the chord is the home chord (Imaj7).