B major scale on piano
The B major scale on piano has 7 notes: B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, and A sharp (B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯). It uses 5 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯, A♯. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5; left hand 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1.
- B 1
- C♯ C sharp 2
- D♯ D sharp 3
- E 4
- F♯ F sharp 5
- G♯ G sharp 6
- A♯ A sharp 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (B) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the B major scale
| Note | B | C♯ | D♯ | E | F♯ | G♯ | A♯ | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 · Left hand: 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- B
- W
- C♯
- W
- D♯
- H
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- W
- A♯
- H
- B
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major scale
The foundation of Western music (Ionian mode). Happy and stable; the chords of the major key come from it.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | B | B7M | tonic |
| IIm | C♯m | C♯m7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | D♯m | D♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | E | E7M | subdominant |
| V | F♯ | F♯7 | dominant |
| VIm | G♯m | G♯m7 | tonic |
| VII° | A♯° | A♯m7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: G sharp minor scale . Same notes, different center.
More B scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Major in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B major scale?
The notes of the B major scale are B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, and A sharp. It uses 5 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯, A♯.
What is the fingering for the B major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1. Over two octaves: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1.
What is the formula of the B major scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the B major scale?
The chords of the key are B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, A♯°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.