Bmaj7 Guitar Chord

Bmaj7 is the B major seventh chord. It has four notes: B, D♯, F♯ and A♯. There is no open shape, but the standard grip needs no barre either: four fingers on the middle strings around the 2nd to 4th frets, which makes it friendlier than the full B major barre chord.

1324×BF♯A♯D♯×

Root on the A string at the 2nd fret, with the seventh, third and fifth stacked beside it. No barre. Movable: slide it up one fret for Cmaj7.

How to play Bmaj7, step by step

  1. Index finger: 2nd fret, A string
  2. Middle finger: 3rd fret, G string
  3. Ring finger: 4th fret, D string
  4. Pinky finger: 4th fret, B string
  5. Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E. The high E string stays muted; let the nearest fretting finger touch it lightly.

More ways to play Bmaj7

There are 2 common Bmaj7 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Compact, frets 7 to 8
Bmaj7 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 7 to 8, played 7x887x

Thicker at the bottom than the standard shape, good when you want the root to carry.

If Bmaj7 will not ring clean

G string dies under your fingers
The middle finger at the 3rd fret sits in a pocket between the ring finger and pinky. Arch all three so the middle finger's tip lands cleanly without being crowded off the string.
High E rings out
It is not in this voicing. Let the pinky's side damp it lightly, or aim your strum to stop at the B string.
A string buzzes
The index carries the root at the 2nd fret while the other fingers stretch ahead of it. Keep it just behind the fret wire and do not let the stretch pull it flat.

What makes it a Bmaj7

B · D♯ · F♯ · A♯ 1 3 5 7

Bmaj7 is a major seventh chord: a B major triad (B, D♯, F♯) plus a major seventh (A♯). The A♯ sits one fret under the root and rubs against it in a soft, pleasant way; that rub is the maj7 sound. Bmaj7 is the I chord of B major and the IV chord of F sharp major. Neither key is a beginner favourite on guitar, which is why this chord shows up more in jazz, R&B and dreamier pop than in campfire songbooks.

B vs Bmaj7

B major has three notes; Bmaj7 adds an A♯. In practice the bigger difference is the grip: the common B major is a barre chord, while the standard Bmaj7 is four fingertips and no barre. The sound trades B major's plain confidence for something hazier and softer.

Bmaj7 chord questions

Is Bmaj7 harder than B major?

Usually the opposite. The standard Bmaj7 needs no barre, just four fingers close together, while the common B major shape needs a full or partial barre.

Can I play Bmaj7 without a barre?

Yes. Both shapes on this page use separate fingers only.

What is the difference between Bmaj7 and B7?

The seventh note. B7 has an A natural and sounds restless, pulling toward E. Bmaj7 has an A♯ and sounds finished and calm. They belong to different situations, so check which one the song actually asks for.

Why does Bmaj7 sound dissonant to me?

The A♯ sits a half step below the root B, and if those two notes ring next to each other the rub is audible. Played as a full chord it reads as dreamy rather than wrong. Let the chord ring and the ear settles into it.

What keys use Bmaj7?

It is the I chord of B major and the IV chord of F sharp major, keys you meet most in jazz and R&B.

Chords to learn next

Other B chords