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B Major Chord Guitar

No clean open shape — reached by barring the A-shape at the 2nd fret.

Has no clean open-position shape, unlike most beginner chords.
Reached via a barre at the 2nd fret, borrowing the A-shape moved up the neck.
Because of that, it's often one of the later chords beginners tackle.
Functions as the V chord in the key of E.

Root3rd5th

Index finger barres at the 2nd fret (A-shape moved up)

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret2

Finger1 index

5th

D4th string

Fret4

Finger2 middle

Root

G3rd string

Fret4

Finger3 ring

3rd

B2nd string

Fret4

Finger4 pinky

5th

e1st string

Fret2

Finger1 index

NotesB – F# – D#

Formula1 – 3 – 5

Voicingx24442

TonesB×2·D#×1·F#×2

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Questions about B Major

What notes are in a B Major chord?

A B Major chord contains the notes B, F#, D#. It is built from the major formula 1 - 3 - 5, with B as the root.

Why is there no open B major chord?

The open strings simply don't line up with B major's notes in a way that produces a playable shape low on the neck. Instead, guitarists take the A major shape and move it up two frets, adding an index barre — which is why B major arrives after barre technique is underway.

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B Major Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about B Major

What notes are in a B Major chord?

Why is there no open B major chord?

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