How to Play B Chord Guitar: 14 Easy Ways

B is a tricky chord to play on guitar. That’s because, like the F chord, you can’t really play it using open strings.

But unlike F, there isn’t really a simplified way to play B.

This makes it tough for beginner guitarists to learn.

And it also means that B chords don’t show up in songs as much as chords that are easier to play like A major, C major or E minor.

But there are still many popular guitar songs that use the B chord, so it’s vital you learn to master it.

This lesson explains everything you need to know about the B chord, including several ways to play it.

The Easiest Way to Play a B Chord

As mentioned above, there isn’t really a simplified way to play a B major chord.

For me, the easiest way to play it is by forming a power chord.

Here’s how to play it:

• Put your first finger on string 5, fret 2
• Put finger 3 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 4 on string 3, fret 4

Make sure you only play these three strings. Adding the open B chord doesn’t sound terrible but I try to mute it with finger 4.

That’s because it’s the same pitch as the B on string four, and so it makes a weird ‘doubling’ sound when played.

This B chord is sometimes known as a 5th chord. That’s because it uses the root note and the 5th note from the B major scale.

Let’s take a look at what other notes a B chord uses.

What Notes Does a B Major  Chord Use?

The B major chord consists of the following notes from the B major scale:

• The 1st (the root note): B
• The 3rd (the major 3rd): D#
• The 5th (the perfect 5th) F#

These are used in all versions of B major. Some other B guitar chord variations like B7 use different notes from the B major scale.

Other Ways to Play B Major on Guitar

There are a few other ways to play the B chord on guitar.

The A-shape

This is when you use the same shape that is used to play an open A chord but from the B root note. 

It is very similar to the powerchord shape mentioned above.

Here’s how to play it:

• Place the side of finger one across strings 5,4,3,2 and 1 on fret 2 to form a barre
• Put your second finger on string 4, fret 4
• Put the third finger on the third string, fret 4
• Put finger 4 on string 2, fret 4
• Strum all strings except string 6

Alternatively, you can play this b chord as a barre chord. This is when you use the side of your finger to hold down several strings at once.

The ‘half’ A-shape 

If you find the A-shape too difficult then try this.

It’s basically the same, except you don’t form a bar. Finger one goes on string 1 fret 2. Only strum the first four strings.

The E-shape

This version uses the open E-shape played with a barre shape across all strings at the 7th fret.

Here’s how to play it:

• Place the side of finger one across all strings on fret 7 to form a barre
• Put third finger on string  5, fret 9
• Put the fourth finger on string 4, fret 9
• Put your second finger on string 3, fret 8
• Strum all strings

The ‘half’ E-shape

You can also play a simplified version of the E shape. This is actually a shape most guitarists would call an F chord shape.

Here’s how to play it:

• Use finger one to create a barre across strings 1 and 2, fret 7
• Put finger 2 on string 3, fret 8
• Put third finger on string 4, fret 9
• Strum strings 1,2,3 and 4

D-shape B major guitar chord

This version of the B chord is played so far up the guitar’s neck that it is unlikely you will use it. It’s also difficult to play. You need to stretch your fingers across four frets.

• Put your first finger on string 4, fret 9
• Put finger three on string 3, fret 11
• Put finger four on string 2, fret 12

Other Variations of the B Chord on Guitar

So far we’ve focused on the B major chord. But there are lots of other versions of the B chord that will give you different tonal variations. 

They are really useful for creating different moods in music.

For example, C minor has a sad sound, while Csus2 has a rich, open sound. 

How to Play B Minor

B minor is very similar to B. The main difference is that the major 3rd chord is replace by a minor 3rd. This means the D# is lower by one fret to become a D. 

This gives this chord a sad, melancholic sound.

The notes are:

• B (root note) 
• D (minor 3rd)
• F# (perfect 5th)

There are two main ways to play B minor:

B minor A-shape

The most common way to play B minor is as an A-shape. This involves playing the A-shaped B chord but with the D# dropped to D.

• Put the side of your index finger across strings 5,4,3,2 and 1 to form a barre across the second fret
• Put finger 3 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 2 on string 3, fret 4 
• Put your fourth finger on string 2, fret 3
• Strum all strings except string 6

B minor ‘half’ A-shape

An easier way for beginners to play B minor is to only play the A-shape on the first four strings. This means that you don’t need to use a barre.

Here’s how to do it:

• Put finger 3 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 2 on string 3, fret 4 
• Put finger 4 on string 2, fret 3
• Put your index finger on string 1, fret 2

B minor E-shape

You can turn the B barre chord on the low e string (sixth string) into a minor chord. Once again, you need to change the D# to a D. Here’s how to play it:

• Use your index finger to create a barre across all strings on fret 7
• Put finger 3 on string 5, fret 9
• Put finger 4 on string 4, fret 9
• Strum all 6 strings

B minor ‘half’ E shape

If you find playing the barre in the b minor E shape too difficult then you could just play the chord on the first four strings. You’ll still need to form a barre across strings 1,2 and 3 but at least you won’t have to stretch across all the strings. 

B7

There are two ways to play B7.  B7 sounds more tense than a normal B, which makes it good to put before the last chord in a progression. Your ear expects it to be resolved with a major chord.  

The two most common ways to play B7 are:

B7 open

Finally, a B chord that can be played with an open string! Here’s how to play it:

• Put your index finger on string 5, fret 2 
• Put finger 2 on string 4, fret 1
• Put finger 3 on string 3, fret 2
• Put finger 4 on string 1, fret 2
• Play all strings except string 6

B7 A-shape

• Put your first finger across strings 5,4,3,2 and 1 to form a barre on the 2nd fret
• Put finger 2 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 4 on string 2, fret 4
• Play all strings except string 6

B major 7

B major 7 or Bmaj7, is a rich, warm-sounding chord. 

• Put finger one across strings 5,4,3,2 and 1 to form a barre on the 2nd fret
• Put finger 3 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 2 on string 3, third fret
• Put finger 4 on string 2, fret 4
• Play all strings except string 6

Bsus2

This chord sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. It has a rich, open sound. 

• Put finger one across strings 5,4,3,2 and 1 to form a barre across fret 2
• Put finger 3 on string 4, fret 4
• Put finger 4 on string 3, fret 4
• Play all strings except string 6

Songs That Use a B Chord 

The B chord features in many guitar riffs and popular songs. Here are some examples.

Surfing USA – The Beach Boys

Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin 

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynrd Skynrd

Learn All the Chords With Guitarist 101

If you found this article useful, then check out our other guitar chord guides, including articles on:

• The G chord
• F chord
• B7 chord
• C chord