Chords in the key of B
The key of B major has seven chords: B · C♯m · D♯m · E · F♯ · G♯m · A♯dim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the B major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The B major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | B | B D♯ F♯ | Bmaj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | C♯m | C♯ E G♯ | C♯m7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | D♯m | D♯ F♯ A♯ | D♯m7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | E | E G♯ B | Emaj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | F♯ | F♯ A♯ C♯ | F♯7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | G♯m | G♯ B D♯ | G♯m7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | A♯dim | A♯ C♯ E | A♯m7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of B at a glance
- Scale: B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯
- Key signature: 5 sharps (C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯ A♯)
- Major chords: B, E, F♯
- Minor chords: C♯m, D♯m, G♯m
- Diminished: A♯dim
- Relative minor: G♯ minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in B
| Progression | Chords in B | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | B – F♯ – G♯m – E | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | B – E – F♯ – B | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | B – G♯m – E – F♯ | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | C♯m – F♯ – B – B | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | G♯m – E – B – F♯ |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of B?
The key of B major has seven chords: B, C♯m, D♯m, E, F♯, G♯m, A♯dim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in B?
B (I), E (IV) and F♯ (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in B major.
What is the relative minor of B major?
G♯ minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (5 sharps), starting on the sixth degree, G♯.
What notes are in the B major scale?
B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, then B again an octave higher.