HOW TO PLAY

B Major

Chord diagram for the B guitar chord.

STEP BY STEP

How to play a B Major chord on the guitar

  1. Make a barre with your first finger on the second fret.
  2. Put your second finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string.
  3. Put your third finger on the fourth fret of the third string.
  4. Put your fourth finger on the fourth fret of the second string.
  5. Strum only the highest five strings.

HOW IT’S USED

The most common progression you’ll likely see with B Major is going from B, to E, to F#, or I, IV, V:

B
Chord diagram for the B guitar chord.
E
Chord diagram for the E guitar chord.
F#
Chord diagram for the F# guitar chord.

Bad Reputation, by Joan Jett, is a great example. Just make sure to play it loud:

I don’t give a damn about my reputationB E F# B

Adding in the minor six chord (G#m), you have the classic I-V-iv-IV pattern:

B
Chord diagram for the B guitar chord.
F#
Chord diagram for the F# guitar chord.
G#m
Chord diagram for the G#m guitar chord.
E
Chord diagram for the E guitar chord.

As heard in I’m Yours, by Jason Mraz:

Well you Bdone done me and you bet I felt it F#I tried to be chill but you’re so hot I melted
I G#mfell right through the cracks. And now I’m Etrying to get back

SEE ALSO

Other common chords in the key of B Major: