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Circle of fifths

Key of B major

Key signature: 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Scale: B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯. Chords: B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, A♯dim.

Chords in B major

Each scale degree has a triad and a four-note seventh chord. Tap a chord for the guitar shape.

IBBmaj7iiC♯mC♯m7iiiD♯mD♯m7IVEEmaj7VF♯F♯7viG♯mG♯m7vii°A♯dimA♯m7b5

Capo tip: on guitar, put a capo on fret 4 and play the shapes of G major – then 4 of the main chords are easy open shapes (1 without a capo).

The B major scale

BIC♯iiD♯iiiEIVF♯VG♯viA♯vii°
B major scale on pianoEBEBC♯D♯F♯G♯A♯C♯D♯F♯G♯A♯
B major scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯EA♯BC♯D♯EF♯G♯D♯EF♯G♯A♯BC♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯EF♯BC♯D♯EF♯G♯A♯BEF♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯E357912

Full scale page and other scales from this note →

Related keys

Relative minorG♯ minorsame key signatureParallel minorB minorsame tonicA fifth upF♯ majorone more sharpA fifth downE majorone more flat

Common progressions in B major

ProgressionChordsGenerator
Pop progression (Axis)B – F♯ – G♯m – EOpen in generator
Sensitive pop (vi–IV–I–V)G♯m – E – B – F♯Open in generator
’50s progression (doo-wop)B – G♯m – E – F♯Open in generator
Royal road (J-pop)Emaj7 – F♯7 – D♯m7 – G♯m7Open in generator
Canon progressionB – F♯ – G♯m – D♯m – E – B – E – F♯Open in generator
Circle-of-fifths progressionB – E – A♯dim – D♯m – G♯m – C♯m – F♯ – BOpen in generator
Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I)B – E – F♯ – BOpen in generator
Folk and countryB – B – E – B – B – E – F♯ – BOpen in generator
ii–V–I (jazz)C♯m7 – F♯7 – Bmaj7 – Bmaj7Open in generator
Turnaround (I–vi–ii–V)Bmaj7 – G♯m7 – C♯m7 – F♯7Open in generator
12-bar bluesB7 – B7 – B7 – B7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – B7 – F♯7 – E7 – B7 – F♯7Open in generator
12-bar blues, quick changeB7 – E7 – B7 – B7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – B7 – F♯7 – E7 – B7 – F♯7Open in generator
Three-chord punkB5 – B5 – E5 – F♯5Open in generator
Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV)B – A – E – BOpen in generator
♭VI–♭VII–I (victory cadence)B – G – A – BOpen in generator
Major-to-minor IV (I–iii–IV–iv)B – D♯m – E – EmOpen in generator

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

How many sharps or flats are in B major?

B major has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Its relative minor is G♯ minor, with the same key signature.

What chords are in the key of B major?

The triads built on the scale degrees: B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, A♯dim. The main chords used most often: B, E, F♯, G♯m.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash