In this article, we’ll teach three variations of the B major chord for left-handed guitarists, and explain the theory behind how the chord is constructed from both scale degrees and intervals. Lastly, we’ll discuss the role B Major plays in other musical keys (chord function).
Interested in learning more left-handed chords? Check out our left-handed chord library.
How to Play B Major for Left-Handers
B Major Chord – A Shape
- Finger Placement:
- Use your left index finger (1st finger) to bar the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string, which means pressing down on all the strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger.
- Place your left middle finger (2nd finger) on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- Position your left ring finger (3rd finger) on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Lastly, place your left pinky finger (4th finger) on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Strumming:
- Strum the guitar strings from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.
- Ensure that you avoid strumming the 6th (low E) string; you can either avoid it while strumming or lightly touch it with the palm of your hand to mute it.
B Major Chord – E Shape
- Barre Formation:
- Place your index finger (1st finger) flat across the strings at the 7th fret pressing down on all the strings.
- Chord Shape:
- Now, use your middle finger (2nd finger) to press down on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Your ring finger (3rd finger) goes on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
- Your pinky finger (4th finger) is positioned on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Strumming:
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.
B Major Chord – A Shape Variation
- Barre Formation:
- Place your index finger (1st finger) on the 2nd fret of the 1st string (E).
- Chord Shape:
- Place your middle finger (2nd finger) on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger (3rd finger) on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Your pinky finger (4th finger) should go on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- Strumming:
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.
Tips for Playing the B Major Chord
For the standard open B Major chord, employ your index finger to bar the 2nd fret across all strings except the low E string, which remains open, and ensure that your index finger creates a firm and buzz-free barre across the fret while maintaining an arch in your other fingers to prevent muting adjacent strings.
You can read more tips on playing chords cleanly by clicking here.
Chord Construction from the B Major Scale
The B major chord originates from the B major scale, serving as the basis for its formation. Below, we’ll dissect the B major scale, and how we can build a B major chord from it..
B major chord construction – using scale degrees
Scale Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Major Scale | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# |
B Major Chord | B | – | D# | – | F# | – | – |
As seen above, the B major scale consists of the notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, and A#. To form a B major chord, we take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of this scale. In this case, those degrees correspond to the notes B, D#, and E. When played together, these three notes create the B major chord.
B major chord construction – using intervals
Interval | Root | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | M7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Major Scale | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# |
B Major Chord | B | – | D# | – | F# | – | – |
If you need a quick refresher on intervals in music click here.
The intervals within a B major chord consist of a major third (M3) and a perfect fifth (P5) above the root note (B). The major third, D#, is four half-steps (semitones) above A, and the perfect fifth, F#, is seven half-steps (semitones) above B.
Another way to visualize the construction of the B major chord is in stacked thirds e.g. passing through three note letters of the B major scale e.g. the 2nd note of the B major chord is a third above the root note of B e.g. (B, C#, D#). While the 3rd note of the chord is a third above the 2nd note of D# e.g. (D#, E, F#).
The Role Of B Major – Chord Function
Chord function refers to the role a chord plays within the context of a key, defining its relationship to the tonic (the first note of a scale or key) and its tendency to move towards certain other chords. Understanding chord functions helps in creating and analyzing chord progressions, providing insight into the harmonic structure and movement within a piece of music.
Key | Chord Number | Function |
---|---|---|
B Major | I | Tonic: The ‘home’ chord of the B Major key. |
E Major | IV | Subdominant: Provides a stepping stone between the tonic (B Major) and dominant (F# Major). |
F# Major | V | Dominant: Creates tension, often resolving to the tonic (B Major). |
G# Minor | III | Mediant: Offers a contrast to the tonic (B Major) and can lead to the subdominant (E Major). |
C# Minor | II | Supertonic: Commonly leads to the dominant (F# Major). |
D# Minor | VI | Submediant: Often used in chord progressions moving from the tonic (B Major) to the submediant (G# Minor) and then to the dominant (F# Major). |
A# Diminished | VII | Leading Tone: Creates a strong desire to resolve to the tonic (B Major). |
Other Keys | NA | Not present. |
- Key: The musical key.
- Chord Number: Indicates the position of the chord within the key.
- Chord Function: Describes the musical role of the chord in that key (e.g., Tonic, Subdominant, etc.).