B Major

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The B major chord is a triad formed from a root (B), a major third (D♯) and a perfect fifth (F♯).

How to play B major on the piano

To play the B major chord, first find the root of the chord on the piano: B. Looking at the keyboard, you'll see black keys in groups of two and three. If you look just to the right of a group of three black keys, you'll find the B.

The B major chord uses the following notes: B, D♯ and F♯. To play the chord in its root position, use the following fingers:

F♯ - Fifth finger (5)
D♯ - Third finger (3)
B - First finger (1)

Read more: Our guide to major and minor chords.

With your left hand, you'd play the root position chord with the following:

F♯ - First finger (1)
D♯ - Third finger (3)
B - Fifth finger (5)

The fingers you use to play the root position chord of B major might change depending on the music you're playing. To get a feel for how the chord is built, watch our video on the B major chord above.

What are the inversions of B major?

Like other triads, or three-note chords, B major has two different inversions. Learn how to play the first and second inversions of the chord below.

How to play the first inversion of B major

B major's first inversion places D♯ as the lowest note. You can play the inversion with your right hand by using the following fingers:

B - Fifth finger (5)
F♯ - Second finger (2)
D♯ - First finger (1)

Read more: Our guide to chord inversions.

How to play the second inversion of B major

To play the second inversion of B major, place F♯ as the lowest note and use the following fingers:

D♯ - Fifth finger (5)
B - Third finger (3)
F♯ - First finger (1)

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