The notes in the key of B Major are B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, and A#.
When assembled in order of pitch the notes form the B Major Scale.
The Sound Of B Major
The key of B Major key has a bright, and vibrant sound. It is characterized by its sharp and crisp tonality, evoking a sense of positivity and energy. It has a sense of forward motion and excitement, making it a viable option for creating music with a lively tempo and spirited rhythm.
Click here to learn more about the remaining 23 music keys in Western music.
The B Major Scale Step Pattern
The step pattern for the B major scale begins on the tonic note of B, before moving up a whole step to C#, followed by D# (a whole step up from C#). The next note is E (A half step up from C#), followed by F# (whole step) and G# (whole step).
The scale then jumps up a whole step to A#, before jumping up a further half step to the tonic note of B in the next highest octave.
The B Major Scale
While there are numerous ways to play the B Major scale, perhaps the most common, and the one most beginners learn first, is rooted on the 6th string at the 7th fret as per the example below.
Chords in the Key of B Major
The chords in the key of B major are: B Major, C# minor, D# minor, E Major, F# Major, G# minor, A# diminished
Below are some common voicings for each.
7th Chords in the Key of B Major
7th chords can be used in place of triads (major, minor, augmented, and diminished) to add greater harmonic complexity to a chord progression. In the key of B major we have the following 7th chords available:
Why Are These Chords In The Key Of B Major?
Each note of the B Major scale is the root note for one of the chords within the key of B. This gives us the root notes of B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#
Which Chords Are Major, Minor, Or Diminished In B Major?
You can read all about chord tones, intervals (the distance between notes), and how chords are constructed here. But rather than working this out for each of the chords, remember that all chords built from a Major scale follow the pattern of:
Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished.
Assembling the notes of the B Major scale in this order we now have the quality of each of the chords in the key of B.
| Maj | min | min | Maj | Maj | min | Dim |
| B | C♯ | D♯ | E | F♯ | G# | A# |
Chord Function
The three most important chords in any key are the I (tonic), iv (subdominant), and V (dominant). These are all Major chords and contain the 7 notes of the B Major scale.
You can read more about the most important chords in a key here along with chord function and roman numeral notation here. But in simple terms, in the key of B – Bmaj (I) is the tonic, F#maj (V) is the dominant, and Emaj (IV) is the subdominant chord.
| Tonic | Supertonic | Mediant | Subdominant | Dominant | Submediant | Subtonic |
| I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
| Bmaj | c#min | d♯min | Emaj | F#maj | g#min | a#dim |
Common Chord Progressions in B Major
| I – V – vi – IV | Bmaj, F#maj, g#min, Emaj |
| I – IV – V | Bmaj, Emaj, F#maj |
| I – vi – IV – V | Bmaj, g#min, Emaj, F#maj |
| I – IV – vi – V | Bmaj, Emaj, g#min, F#maj |
| I – V – vi – iii – IV | Bmaj, F#maj, g#min, d#min, Emaj |
Relative Minor Key
The relative minor key for B Major is G#minor, which contains the same notes as the B major scale, however, the sequence of notes begins on the 6th scale degree of B Major.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| G# | A# | B | C# | D# | E | F# |
