B major chord is a fairly common chord in popular music. It has been used in almost every genre, especially in blues, rock, and pop music. B major's cheerful yet mysterious sound has been the base of many popular songs’ intros, but if played differently, it could be interpreted as so many other things without losing its essence.
Other chords that are commonly mixed with B major are C#m, D#m, E, F#, G#m, and A# diminished, which belong to the key of B. In case you’d like to compose some songs using this chord, you should try the ones we mentioned, they sound great together.
Normally, beginner guitar players fear this chord due to its unusual shape, but today we’ll show you easier ways in which you can play B major, and provide an explanation of how to play the standard B major chord. Let’s begin with the easiest shapes for B major!
B Major Triad Chord Shapes
In this case, we should start with B major triads, since they’re the easiest way to play this wonderful chord. Here you’ll find all the combinations that you can practice to play B major chord shapes! Each of these has a unique tone, even when we’ll be using the same notes B, D#, and F#.
Each of these chord shapes has a unique sound, making them a great addition to your chord repertoire! Not only will they make you a more versatile guitar player, but some of these chords will train your finger to play barre chords!
Standard B Major Chord Shape
For early beginner guitar players, this chord shape might seem a little challenging, but it’s very simple and easy to play after some practice! This chord is an essential addition to every musician’s chord repertoire since it appears in many songs, and it can be mixed with so many chords for those who would like to compose some music. Follow the next image to learn how to play the standard B major chord shape:
B Major Barre Chord Shapes
If you feel that you need something a bit more challenging, then you’re in the right place. Barre chords are a bit more challenging than the previous chords we’ve shown you. The great thing about them is that they have a unique sound and could be used in many different ways. You won’t regret practicing them, trust us. Follow the next images to learn how to play the two B major barre chord shapes:
Alternative B Major Chord Shape
There’s another easy way in which you can play the B major chord, and it’s very similar to one of the triad chords we showed you before. The only difference between that root position chord shape and this one is that we’ll add one extra note to this amazing chord. Follow the next image to learn how to play it:
