Bmaj7 chord on guitar
Bmaj7 (B major 7th) is a major 7th chord built on B. It has 4 notes, B, D♯, F♯ and A♯, and its formula is 1 3 5 7.
Notes and intervals of Bmaj7
From the root upwards, Bmaj7 contains root (B), major 3rd (D♯), perfect 5th (F♯) and major 7th (A♯). Those intervals give the chord its colour: the formula 1 3 5 7 works the same way in every key, so once you know it for B you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | B |
| 3 | major 3rd | D♯ |
| 5 | perfect 5th | F♯ |
| 7 | major 7th | A♯ |
How to play Bmaj7 on guitar
The first shape above reads 2 2 4 3 4 2 from the low E string to the high E string (x means you do not play that string, 0 is an open string). The lowest note you play is F♯. The other diagrams show the same chord higher up the neck: pick the one closest to the chords before and after it in your song.
This is a barre or movable shape: keep your index finger straight and close to the fret, and press with the side of the finger rather than the flat pad.
Which keys use Bmaj7?
You find Bmaj7 as a diatonic chord in B major (Imaj7) and F sharp major (IVmaj7). The most common case is B major, where it plays the role of Imaj7.
Scales to play over Bmaj7
To improvise over Bmaj7, start with B major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: B major scale and B Lydian mode. Aim for the chord notes on strong beats and use the other notes to move between them.
About major 7th chords
A major triad plus a major seventh: 1 3 5 7. The seventh sits a semitone below the octave, which gives a soft, floating, slightly bittersweet colour. The major seventh chord is relaxed rather than tense: it does not need to resolve and can sit for a whole verse. For example Cmaj7: C E G B.
It lives on I and IV of a major key (Imaj7, IVmaj7), so it is the home chord of jazz, bossa nova, soul, neo-soul and soft pop. Classic moves: ii7 V7 Imaj7 in jazz, Imaj7 IVmaj7 for dreamy loops, and in minor keys ♭IIImaj7 and ♭VImaj7, the I and IV of the relative major.
Open shapes like Cmaj7 (x32000), Fmaj7 (xx3210) and Amaj7 (x02120) are easy starters. The movable shapes: root on the 5th string with the 7 on the 3rd string, or root on the 6th string with the 5th string muted (root, 7, 3, 5 on strings 6, 4, 3, 2). Strum lightly: the 7 sounds best when it rings clearly.
Confusing maj7 with 7 is the classic error: the dominant 7 has a minor seventh and pulls to resolve, maj7 does not. Watch the symbols: maj7, M7, Δ7 and Δ all mean the same chord, but 7 alone does not. And a major 7 on the V chord clashes with the melody: in a major key, V takes a plain 7.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Bmaj7 chord?
Bmaj7 (B major 7th) contains B, D♯, F♯ and A♯. In intervals: root (B), major 3rd (D♯), perfect 5th (F♯) and major 7th (A♯).
How do you play Bmaj7 on guitar?
The easiest shape is 2 2 4 3 4 2, from the low E string to the high E string. This page shows 3 positions with finger numbers.
What scale goes with Bmaj7?
B major scale fits Bmaj7 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: B Lydian mode.
What key is Bmaj7 in?
Bmaj7 belongs to B major (Imaj7) and F sharp major (IVmaj7). In B major it is the Imaj7 chord.
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