The B Major Chord for guitar, or B Major, is a more advanced and challenging chord to play than the open chords we have learned. There are so many fun songs to play along to that use this chord; it is time to learn and master this chord.
As with the F chord, the best way to play the B chord for guitar is as a barre chord. A barre chord means that we use our first finger to hold down all of the strings on a fret, and we use our second, third, and fourth fingers to hold the remaining strings. By doing this, we are moving our open chord shapes down the neck and playing them in different keys.
That is the case with B Major Guitar Chord. We can use alternate ways to play the chord, but some methods can be just as complicated or not sound as good – depending on the song. Sometimes you have to mute some of the other strings on the guitar, so your strumming needs to be more “strategic.”
When you play the chord as a barre chord, you have a much fuller, richer sound when you strum the guitar. We are not looking to be perfect here – we are here to learn the chords and have fun! It will take a little more work to learn this chord and play along to a song – but you will be able to do it!
For a more general overview, see All Guitar Strings and Notes
How Do you Play the B Major Chord on Guitar?
- Use your first finger and hold or barre your finger across the first five strings of the second fret.
- Use your third finger and hold or barre your finger on the second, third, and fourth strings on the fourth fret.
- Do not play the sixth string. Learn to mute the string, so you do not inadvertently play the E note.
The notes of the B major chord are B, F♯, D♯. As with all of the open chords, this chord is just three notes. Below are B major chord charts for playing the chord. This first version is the most common way to play the B chord on the guitar and the one you will see most guitar players using.
Another way to play the chord is to also barre the first five strings of the second fret. However, you will take your second finger and place it on the fourth string, fourth fret; place your third finger on the third string, fourth fret, and then put your fourth finger on the second string, fourth fret.
It is played as a barre chord, so you will need to learn to hold the first five strings down, which will take some “finger strength.” Also, you will need to practice the transition from an open chord to a barre chord. It is not that hard – it just takes practice.
Easier Ways to Play B Chord Guitar
What do you notice about the B chord on guitar? It is the same shape as the A chord, except we have moved it up the fretboard two frets (one whole step) to the fourth fret, and we have barred the second fret.
You can play the B chord on Guitar, as shown in the chord chart below. Play the A Chord on the fourth fret, then take your first finger and place it on the first E string, the second fret. When you play the chord this way, you must not play the fifth and sixth strings – they must be muted, or this will sound very bad.
I started playing guitar when I was young, and it was hard for me to use my third finger to barre the fourth fret – so I cheated a little. Instead, I used my pinky (fourth finger) to barre the notes on the fourth fret. I still use my fourth finger today, but I will also use my third finger, depending on the song.
See the chord chart below. I think this is an easier way to play the B Major chord, but it is not the best way. There are limitations to what you can play if you play the chord this way.
Just keep practicing and practicing this chord; you will get the hang of it!
Below are some easy songs that have the B Major Chord:
- Secret agent man (Johnny Rivers) Em, Am, B, C – is a nice easy song to learn.
- I Want to Be Somebody (Travis Tritt) G, D, C, B
- Cuts Like a Knife (Bryan Adams) D, G, C, A, B