Chords in the key of B major
The key of B major has the notes B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯ and the chords B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, and A♯°. As seventh chords: B7M, C♯m7, D♯m7, E7M, F♯7, G♯m7, and A♯m7(♭5). Key signature: 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Relative minor: G sharp minor.
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A♯
Chords in B major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | B | B7M | tonic |
| ii | C♯m | C♯m7 | subdominant |
| iii | D♯m | D♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | E | E7M | subdominant |
| V | F♯ | F♯7 | dominant |
| vi | G♯m | G♯m7 | tonic |
| vii° | A♯° | A♯m7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of B major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (B, D♯m, and G♯m) feels at rest; subdominant (C♯m and E) moves away from home; dominant (F♯ and A♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to B.
Common progressions in B major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: G sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯)).
Parallel key: B minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: E major (a fifth below) and F sharp major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
B major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for B major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of B major?
B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, and A♯°. As seventh chords: B7M, C♯m7, D♯m7, E7M, F♯7, G♯m7, and A♯m7(♭5).
What is the relative of B major?
G sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯).
What is the key signature of B major?
B major has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in B major?
It is F♯ (or F♯7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to B, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in B major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: B F♯ G♯m E; I–vi–IV–V: B G♯m E F♯; ii7–V7–Imaj7: C♯m7 F♯7 B7M; I–IV–V: B E F♯; vi–IV–I–V: G♯m E B F♯.