B guitar chord
The B major 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
- Notes
- B – D# – F#
- Formula
- 1 – 3 – 5
- Name
- B major
BB · D# · F#
4 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Most common
- G shape · 4th fret
- E shape · 7th fret
- D shape · 9th fret
What to play over B
Start with the chord's own notes — B, D#, F# — 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 pentatonic scale
The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.
- B major scale
The full major scale, when the chord is the song’s home chord (I).
- B Lydian mode
A brighter, floating sound with the ♯4 — when the chord is a IV.
- B Mixolydian mode
The ♭7 gives it a bluesy, rock edge — when the chord is a V.
Questions
What notes are in a B chord?
B has 3 notes: B, D#, F#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – 3 – 5.
What scale goes with B?
B major pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start: the chord’s own three notes plus the 2 and the 6, nothing that clashes.