B Ukulele Chord

B is the B major chord. It has three notes: B, D sharp and F sharp. The standard shape is many players' second barre: index across the E and A strings at the 2nd fret, middle on the C string at the 3rd, ring on the G string at the 4th.

The standard B: index barred across the E and A strings at the 2nd fret, middle on the C string at the 3rd, ring on the G string at the 4th. The Bb grip one fret higher.

How to play B on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the E to A strings at fret 2
Middle finger: 3rd fret, C string
Ring finger: 4th fret, G string
Strum all four strings.

The barre here is small, just two strings under the index. Roll the index slightly onto its bony side and let the weight of the arm press for you; a squeezing thumb tires long before the song ends.

More ways to play B

There are 3 common B shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

B ukulele chord diagram, frets 4 to 7, played 4676 — Frets 4 to 7

B ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 6, played 8676 — Barre at fret 6

If the barre will not cooperate

One of the two barred strings is silent: The index has landed mid fret, where the string can escape. Slide the barre up snug against the fret wire before adding pressure.
The G string note is weak: The ring finger reaches furthest, to the 4th fret. Bring the wrist forward so the ring lands on its tip instead of stretching flat.
The whole chord takes too long to land: Set the barre first, every time. Once the index is down, the middle and ring have fixed targets and the change speeds up on its own.

What makes it a B

B · D♯ · F♯ 1 3 5

B major is the root B, the major third D sharp and the fifth F sharp. The standard shape frets all four strings and carries the root at both ends, on the G string at the 4th fret and the A string at the 2nd.

B is the I chord in the key of B, the IV chord in F sharp and the V chord in E. It also happens to be the B flat grip moved up one fret, and that is the real lesson of the shape: it slides, and every fret gives it a new name.

B vs Bm

One note falls: the D sharp in B drops to D in Bm, and the chord's confidence turns to shadow.

On the ukulele the moving note is on the C string, and in Bm it drops right into the barre: the index widens to cover three strings while the middle finger lifts away. The minor is, unusually, the slightly easier grip of the two.

B chord questions

Is B hard on the ukulele?

It is a barre chord, so it takes more practice than the open shapes, but the barre only covers two strings. Most players get it soon after Bb.

What is the difference between B and Bb?

One fret. B is exactly the B flat grip moved up one, from the 1st fret to the 2nd. Learn one and you own both.

What is the difference between B and Bm?

The third: D sharp in B, D in Bm. In the shapes, the C string note drops into the barre and the middle finger comes off.

What keys use the B chord?

B is home in the key of B, the IV in F sharp and the V in E. It turns up less often than the flat side chords in ukulele songbooks, which is why it tends to be learned late.