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Bmaj7 Chord

Bmaj7 adds A sharp, a major seventh, to the B major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: B-D sharp-F sharp-A sharp
  • Symbol: Bmaj7
  • Imaj7 in B major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordBmaj7

How to play a Bmaj7 chord

Notes: B - D# - F# - A# · symbol Bmaj7

  • Root position

    B - D# - F# - A#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    D# - F# - A# - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F# - A# - B - D#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    A# - B - D# - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Bmaj7 belong?

All four notes come from the B major scale, where Bmaj7 can be the home chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In B majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

    The end point of a ii-V-I in B: a resting chord with a soft glow.

    C#m7ii7F#7V7Bmaj7Imaj7
  • In F# majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between F#maj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova.

    F#maj7Imaj7Bmaj7IVmaj7
  • In D# minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In D# minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home.

    D#miBmaj7bVImaj7C#bVIID#mi

Progressions to try

  • C#m7F#7Bmaj7

    Bmaj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in B major.

  • F#maj7Bmaj7

    Here Bmaj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence.

  • D#mBmaj7C#D#m

    In D# minor, Bmaj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x24342, a barre at the 2nd fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The 798877 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 3322, played at the 2nd fret. The 8-10-7-9 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play B-D sharp-F sharp-A sharp. Move B up an octave to reach the first inversion, D sharp-F sharp-A sharp-B; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

B is the root, D sharp the major third, F sharp the fifth and A sharp the major seventh, eleven semitones above the root.

  • Root position: B-D sharp-F sharp-A sharp, with B lowest.
  • First inversion: D sharp-F sharp-A sharp-B, written Bmaj7/D# if D sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F sharp-A sharp-B-D sharp, written Bmaj7/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: A sharp-B-D sharp-F sharp, written Bmaj7/A# if A sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Bmaj7 differ from B7?

Keep the major triad and lower A sharp to A. That makes B7, the dominant-seventh version; the changed seventh is the difference to hear. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See B7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Bmaj7

    B - D# - F# - A#
    C4

    B major 7

  • B7

    B - D# - F# - A
    C4

    B dominant 7

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