What Are The Chords In The Key Of B Major?

In this lesson, we shall take a look at the basic chords in the key of B. We will learn the basic three note chords (triads), as well as four note extended chords.

What are the chords in this key? To answer this question we first of all need to take a look at the B major scale. The B major scale consists of the notes, B C# D# E F# G# A#. Each of the chords in the key of B major are named after one of these notes. Secondly, all the chords in this key (B major) makes use of these notes only.

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The chords follow the pattern, Major Minor Minor Major Major Minor Diminished.

The triad chords in this key are B major, C# minor, D# minor, E major, F# major, G# minor, and A# diminished. The four note chords are B major seventh, C# minor seventh, D# minor seventh, E major seventh, F# dominant seventh, G# minor seventh, and A# minor seventh flat five.

Roman numerals indicate each chord’s position relative to the scale. Numerals that represent a major chord are usually capitalized, and minor and diminished chords are lower case.

  • I – B major, B major seventh (Bmaj, Bmaj7)
  • ii – C# minor, C# minor seventh (C#m, C#m7)
  • iii – D# minor, D# minor seventh (D#m, D#m7)
  • IV – E major, E major seventh (E, Emaj 7)
  • V – F# major, F# dominant seventh (F#, F#7)
  • vi – G# minor, G# minor seventh (G#m, G#m7)
  • vii° – A# diminished, A# minor seventh flat five (A#°, A#m7b5)

To learn more about chords by key (what chords are in what key and why), check out my book, Master Piano Chords By Key And Give Yourself A Big Advantage When Playing, Learning Or Writing Songs.

Watch this lesson:

Piano Chords In The Key Of B Major

Here’s a diagram showing basic chords in B major. 

So what are the notes of the triad and four note chords in this key?

  • Chord I, B major consists of the notes, B – D# – F#, while B major seventh consists of the notes, B – D# – F# – A#.
  • Chord ii, C sharp minor consists of the notes, C# – E – G#. C# minor seventh consists of the notes, C# – E – G# – B.
  • Chord iii, D# minor contains the notes, D# – F# – A#. D# minor seventh contains the notes, D# – F# – A# – C#.
  • Chord IV, E major contains the notes, E – G# – B. E major seventh contains the notes, E – G# – B – D#.
  • Chord V, F sharp major contains the notes, F# – A# – C#. F# dominant seventh contains the notes, F# – A# – C# – E.
  • Chord vi, G# minor consists of the notes, G# – B – D#. G# minor seventh consists of the note, G# – B – D# – F#.
  • Lastly, chord vii°, A# diminished consists of the notes, A# – C# – E, while A# minor seventh flat five consists of the notes, A# – C# – E – G#.

Common chord progressions in the key of B major are as follows:

  • I – IV – V (B – E- F#)
  • I – vi – IV – V (B – G#m – E – F#)
  • ii – V – I (C#m7 – F#7 – Bmaj7)

The following is a diagram of the B major key signature and the notes of the B major scale on the treble and bass clefs. This scale has 5 sharps, namely, C#, D#, F#, G# and A#. 

Here’s a diagram showing the B major scale on piano.

Chords By Key: The Keys Of A, B, C, D, E, F, G Flat, Sharp, Major & Minor

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