The B root note produces some of the most powerful and emotionally rich chords on guitar. B chords appear constantly in songs with capo and in the keys of E and A major. From the essential Bm barre chord that every guitarist must master to the sophisticated Bmaj7 — every B chord shape you will ever need is on this page.

B Minor (Bm)

The most important barre chord every guitarist needs to master. Bm appears in the key of D major, G major and A major making it one of the most frequently encountered chords in popular music. Dark emotional and powerful.

e |--2--|
B |--3--|
G |--4--|
D |--4--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index barre across A B G e strings at fret 2
         Ring=G string fret 4  Pinky=D string fret 4
         Middle=B string fret 3
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Easier partial voicing for beginners:

e |--2--|
B |--3--|
G |--4--|
D |--4--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Top 4 strings only version:
e |--2--|
B |--3--|
G |--4--|
D |--4--|
A |--x--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=e string fret 2  Middle=B string fret 3
         Ring=G string fret 4  Pinky=D string fret 4
Strum: 4 strings (D to e)

Songs: Clocks — Coldplay, Fix You — Coldplay, Wish You Were Here — Pink Floyd

B Major (B)

Bright and powerful. B major is a barre chord at fret 2 using the A major shape. One of the most used major barre chords in guitar music — appears constantly in E major and A major songs.

e |--2--|
B |--4--|
G |--4--|
D |--4--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index barre across A e strings at fret 2
         Ring=D G B strings at fret 4 (or barre with ring)
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Songs: Yellow — Coldplay (capo 2 A shape = B), songs in E major, A Lydian vamp progressions

B Power Chord (B5)

Root and fifth only. Clean and powerful. Anchored at fret 2 on the A string in a comfortable playing position.

e |-----|
B |-----|
G |-----|
D |--4--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=A string fret 2  Ring=D string fret 4
Strum: A and D strings only

Songs: Rock rhythm guitar in B, power chord progressions, alternative and metal riffs

B Dominant 7th (B7)

The tension chord in E major. One of the few B chords with a comfortable open position voicing. Adds a flat 7th creating irresistible pull toward E. Essential for blues and country in E.

B7 notes: B D# F# A

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--2--|   F#? -- G fret 2 = A (b7) yes
           wait G fret 2 = A yes (flat 7th)
D |--1--|   D# (3rd) -- D fret 1 = D# yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--x--|

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--2--|
D |--1--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=D string fret 1  Middle=A string fret 2
         Ring=G string fret 2  Pinky=e string fret 2
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Songs: 12 bar blues in E, La Grange — ZZ Top, countless country songs resolving to E

B Minor 7th (Bm7)

Smooth sophisticated and jazzy. The flat 7th added to Bm creates a cooler more sophisticated minor sound. Used constantly in jazz, pop and soul.

Bm7 notes: B D F# A

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--2--|   A (b7) -- G fret 2 = A yes
D |--0--|   D (m3) -- D open = D yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--x--|

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--2--|
D |--0--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=A string fret 2  Ring=G string fret 2  Pinky=e string fret 2
         D and B strings open
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Songs: Jazz ii V I progressions in A, pop ballads in D major, sophisticated chord movements

B Major 7th (Bmaj7)

Lush dreamy and sophisticated. The major 7th adds a floating warmth to B major. A beautiful chord used in jazz ballads and sophisticated pop music.

Bmaj7 notes: B D# F# A#

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--3--|   A# (maj7) -- G fret 3 = Bb = A# yes
D |--1--|   D# (3rd) -- D fret 1 = D# yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--x--|

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--3--|
D |--1--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=D string fret 1  Middle=A string fret 2
         Ring=G string fret 3  Pinky=e string fret 2
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Songs: Jazz ballads, bossa nova, sophisticated pop progressions in E major

B Suspended 2nd (Bsus2)

Open floating and atmospheric. Replaces the 3rd with a 2nd creating a sound that is neither major nor minor. Beautiful for verse sections and modern pop progressions.

Bsus2 notes: B C# F# (root 2nd 5th)

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--2--|   A -- not in Bsus2
           G fret 2 = A -- hmm
           G fret 3 = Bb -- no
           C# on G string: fret 4 = B no
           G string: 0=G 1=G# 2=A 3=Bb 4=B 5=C 6=C#
           G fret 6 = C# -- too far for this position

Alternative: use without G string
e |--2--|   F# (5th)
B |--0--|   B (root)
G |--x--|   mute
D |--4--|   F# (5th) -- D fret 4 = F# yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--x--|

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--x--|
D |--4--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=A string fret 2  Pinky=D string fret 4
         Pinky or ring=e string fret 2
         Mute G string with ring finger lightly
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — mute G)

Songs: Atmospheric pop and rock, verse sections, modern indie songs in E major

B Suspended 4th (Bsus4)

Tense and dramatic. The 4th replaces the 3rd creating tension that resolves beautifully to B major. Often played just before the full B chord.

Bsus4 notes: B E F# (root 4th 5th)

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--2--|   A -- not ideal
           Bsus4 needs E (4th)
           G fret 4 = B -- no
           D string fret 2 = E yes (4th)
           A string fret 2 = B (root) yes
           e string fret 2 = F# (5th) yes
           E string fret 0 = E (4th) yes

e |--2--|   F# (5th)
B |--0--|   B (root)
G |--2--|   -- A not ideal, can mute
D |--2--|   E (4th) -- D fret 2 = E yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--0--|   E (4th) yes

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--2--|
D |--2--|
A |--2--|
E |--0--|

Fingers: Index barre A D G e strings at fret 2
         B string and low E string open
Strum: All 6 strings

Songs: Classic Bsus4 to B resolutions, dramatic moments in E major songs, pre-chorus tension builders

B Add 9 (Badd9)

B major with an added 9th (C#). Fuller and more colourful than plain B major. Modern and sophisticated sounding — used in pop and indie rock.

Badd9 notes: B D# F# C# (root 3rd 5th 9th)

e |--2--|   F# (5th) -- e fret 2 = F# yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--3--|   Bb -- not C#
           C# on G string: fret 6 -- too far
           
Let us try:
e |--2--|   F# (5th)
B |--4--|   D# (3rd) -- B fret 4 = D# yes
G |--4--|   B -- G fret 4 = B -- root doubling ok
D |--1--|   D# -- no D fret 1 = D# wait
           Badd9 needs C# (9th)
           C# on D string: fret 11 -- too far
           C# on A string: fret 4 = C# yes

e |--2--|   F# (5th)
B |--0--|   B (root)
G |--x--|   mute
D |--4--|   F# (5th) -- D fret 4 = F# yes
A |--4--|   C# (9th) -- A fret 4 = C# yes
E |--x--|

e |--2--|
B |--0--|
G |--x--|
D |--4--|
A |--4--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=e string fret 2  Ring=A string fret 4  Pinky=D string fret 4
         B string open  Mute G string
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — mute G)

Rich and modern. Used in sophisticated pop and indie rock progressions in E major. The open B string root adds warmth underneath the chord.

Songs: Modern pop and indie rock in E major, sophisticated verse sections

B Diminished (Bdim)

Tense unstable and dramatic. Bdim appears naturally in the key of C major as the 7th chord. Used as a passing chord creating powerful chromatic movement.

Bdim notes: B D F (root minor 3rd flat 5th)

e |--x--|
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--0--|   G -- not in Bdim
           Bdim: B D F
           G fret 1 = G# -- no
           F on G string: fret 10 -- too far
           
Let me use:
D string: fret 0 = D (m3) yes
A string: fret 3 = C -- no
          fret 0 = A -- no
low E: fret 2 = F# -- no. fret 1 = F yes (b5)

e |--x--|
B |--0--|   B (root)
G |--x--|   mute
D |--0--|   D (m3)
A |--x--|   mute
E |--1--|   F (b5) -- low E fret 1 = F yes

e |--x--|
B |--0--|
G |--x--|
D |--0--|
A |--x--|
E |--1--|

Fingers: Index=low E string fret 1
         D and B strings open
         Mute A and G strings
Strum: Low E D B strings only

Dark and tense. Appears naturally in C major as the vii chord. Used as a chromatic passing chord between Bm and C or as a dramatic tension chord in jazz and classical progressions.

Songs: Classical passing chords in C major, jazz progressions, dramatic chromatic movements

B Augmented (Baug)

Mysterious and unsettling. The augmented 5th creates a floating tense quality. Used as a passing chord between B and Bm or E creating smooth chromatic voice leading.

Baug notes: B D# G (root major 3rd augmented 5th)
G = F## enharmonically = G natural

e |--3--|   G (aug 5th) -- e fret 3 = G yes
B |--0--|   B (root) yes
G |--0--|   G (aug 5th) yes
D |--1--|   D# (3rd) -- D fret 1 = D# yes
A |--2--|   B (root) -- A fret 2 = B yes
E |--x--|

e |--3--|
B |--0--|
G |--0--|
D |--1--|
A |--2--|
E |--x--|

Fingers: Index=D string fret 1  Middle=A string fret 2
         Pinky=e string fret 3
         B and G strings open
Strum: 5 strings (A to e — skip low E)

Creates mysterious floating tension. The classic use is B — Baug — E — Em — a progression that moves chromatically through the 5th creating beautiful descending voice leading.

Songs: Jazz passing chords, B Baug E progressions, chromatic voice leading in E major

Quick Reference — All B Chords

        Bm    B     B5    B7    Bm7
e       2     2     x     2     2
B       3     4     x     0     0
G       4     4     x     2     2
D       4     4     4     1     0
A       2     2     2     2     2
E       x     x     x     x     x

        Bmaj7 Bsus2 Bsus4 Badd9 Bdim  Baug
e       2     2     2     2     x     3
B       0     0     0     0     0     0
G       3     x     2     x     x     0
D       1     4     2     4     0     1
A       2     2     2     4     x     2
E       x     x     0     x     1     x

Common B Chord Progressions

• Bm — G — D — A — the most used minor progression in B. Appears in countless pop and rock songs
• B — E — F# — B — classic I IV V I in B major
• Bm — A — G — F# — emotional descending minor progression
• B — Baug — E — Em — chromatic descending voice leading
• Bm7 — E7 — Amaj7 — smooth jazz ii V I using B minor
• Bsus4 — B — Bsus2 — B — classic suspension movement used in rock and pop