B Chord Piano Notes & Finger Positions (B Major Chord)

Learning the B chord piano notes is a great first step to understanding how to play the B major chord. The notes are B D# and F# and that can feel a bit awkward to play with standard finger positioning.

The B chord is a major chord - so B major chord - and we'll go a bit into the theory at the end of the page as well as ....

B chord notes on piano
B chord finger positions
how the B chord sounds (video)
what the B/D# chord is
what the B/F# chord is
B chord inversions

B Chord Piano Notes

What is a B chord on piano? Well, it's made up of 3 notes - B, D# and F#.

You can play them in either hand although when playing with 2 hands, I usually play B in my left hand and the B chord in the right hand.

Some people will play the full chord in their left hand and a melody in the right as well.

How To Play B Major Chord & the B Chord Sound

This video will give you a little bit more on how to play the B chord and how it should sound.

B Chord Piano Finger Positions

There are standard finger positions for major chords and they are always to use the thumb, middle finger and pinkie - fingers 1, 3 and 5.

When you play the B major chord, this can feel a bit weird. So, I'd say, in general, try to use these fingers however, if you find yourself starting to use fingers 1, 2, and 3 (thumb, index and middle finger), that's fine. I just wouldn't advise using fingers 2, 3 and 4 as a group in the beginning.

B/D# Chord

When you see a slash "/", whatever comes after the slash is for the bass note, in our case, it's the lowest note on the piano that we're playing.

So, in the case of B/D#, D# is the bass note for the left hand and the rest of the chord should be played above that.

B/F# Chord

When you see B/F#, play the F# as the lowest note in the left hand and then the rest of the B chord notes in your right hand. F# is your bass note.

B Major Chord Inversions

Playing inversions with the B chord will feel a bit different than many of the other chords. It's just those 2 sharps in there.

I'd recommend sticking with the same fingering you use for all other triad inversions however.

The inversions for the B chord are as follows:

Root: B D# F#

1st Inversion: D# F# B

2nd Inversion: F# B D#

Chord Theory for B Major Chord

The B chord is a major chord and is built off of the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the B major scale.

There are 5 sharps in the key signature of B major which is why we have D# and F# in our chord.

The scale above shows the B major scale and if you read music, you can see the 1st note is B, 3rd is D# and 5th is F#.

If you need more help understanding key signatures, visit the key signatures page. Here is the wiki on the key of B major.

If you need to look up more chords, visit the Piano Chord Charts page or download your own copy below.

Free Download:

Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet

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FAQ for B Piano Chord

What is a B major piano chord?

The B major piano chord is a triad composed of three notes: B, D#, and F#. It is often used in various genres of music and is associated with a bright sound.

What is a B minor chord?

The B minor chord consists of the notes B, D, and F#. It's similar to the B major chord, but with a D instead of a D#. You can learn more about the B minor chord here.

What is a B7 chord?

A B7, or B dominant seventh chord, is a four-note chord that includes B, D#, F#, and A. The addition of the A note creates a richer, more complex sound. You can learn more about the B7 chord here.

How can I improve my speed and fluency when playing the B major chord?

Regular practice is the key to improving your speed and fluency. You can practice playing the B major chord in different inversions, work on scales in the key of B major, and try playing songs that feature the B major chord. Look for songs in the key of B major or E major.

Is the B major chord considered difficult for beginners?

The B major chord can be a bit more challenging for beginners due to its position on the keyboard and the inclusion of two black keys. However, with consistent practice, it becomes more comfortable to play.

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