Chord Information
Learn how to play Bmaj7 on piano
Notes in Chord
Intervals
Inversion
Notes (bottom to top): B4 - D#5 - F#5 - A#5
Right Hand Fingering
3=middle, 4=ring, 5=pinky
Interactive Piano
Click the highlighted keys to play the Bmaj7 chord
About the Bmaj7 Chord
The Bmaj7 chord has a bright, crystalline quality that stands at the sharp end of the major seventh spectrum. Built from B-D#-F#-A#, this chord sparkles with clarity, its position giving it a particular brilliance that distinguishes it from major sevenths in flatter keys. Bmaj7 often sounds triumphant and aspirational.
What makes Bmaj7 distinctive is its relative rarity. B major is less common than many keys, so when Bmaj7 appears, it creates a sense of harmonic adventure. The chord can signal a key change or provide a moment of elevated brightness in a progression.
On piano, Bmaj7 sits primarily on black keys (D#, F#, A#) with B as the white key anchor. This physical shape, once learned, becomes distinctive. The chord's brightness partly comes from its position higher in the register than most commonly played major sevenths.
Music Theory & Usage
Bmaj7 functions as I in B major, a key more common in classical music than jazz or pop. As IV in F# major, Bmaj7 adds sophistication to that key's progressions. The chord also appears as a chromatic color in other keys.
In jazz, Bmaj7 occasionally appears in standards that modulate through sharp keys or in bebop compositions that explore all twelve tonalities. In rock and pop, Bmaj7 is rare but effective when used, creating moments of unexpected brightness.
Famous Songs Using Bmaj7
Hear how professional musicians use the Bmaj7 chord in these well-known songs:
“Paranoid Android”
by Radiohead
Uses Bmaj7 in its complex harmonic journey
“Lush Life”
by Billy Strayhorn
Features Bmaj7 in its sophisticated chord changes
“Giant Steps”
by John Coltrane
Employs Bmaj7 in its cycle of major thirds
“Moment's Notice”
by John Coltrane
Contains Bmaj7 in its bebop progression
How to Play Bmaj7 on Piano
- Place your thumb on B.
- Place your index finger on D#.
- Place your middle finger on F#.
- Place your pinky finger on A#.
- Press all keys simultaneously to hear the Bmaj7 chord.
Recommended fingering: 1-2-3-5 (right hand)
Bmaj7 Chord Inversions
The Bmaj7 chord can be played in different inversions:
Root Position
B - D# - F# - A# (bass note: B)
First Inversion
D# - F# - A# - B (bass note: D#)
Second Inversion
F# - A# - B - D# (bass note: F#)
Common Chord Progressions Using Bmaj7
I-IV-V Progression
Common chord progression
I-V-vi-IV Progression
Common chord progression
Practice Tips for Bmaj7
- Start slowly and focus on pressing all keys simultaneously for a clean sound.
- Practice transitioning between Bmaj7 and other common chords to build muscle memory.
- Listen carefully to how the seventh interval creates tension and color in the chord.
- Practice resolving this chord to its natural target chords in progressions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bmaj7
What notes are in Bmaj7?
Bmaj7 contains B (root), D# (major 3rd), F# (perfect 5th), and A# (major 7th). The chord sits mostly on black keys, giving it a distinctive physical feel.
Why is Bmaj7 less common than other major 7th chords?
B major is less common in popular music than keys like C, G, or F. Jazz favors flat keys for wind instruments. Bmaj7 appears mainly in classical-influenced music, progressive rock, and bebop compositions that explore all keys.
Is Bmaj7 the same as Cbmaj7?
Yes, they're enharmonically equivalent, but Cbmaj7 (Cb-Eb-Gb-Bb) is extremely rare—Cb major has seven flats. Bmaj7 is the standard spelling in virtually all contexts where this chord appears.
What progressions use Bmaj7 effectively?
Try Bmaj7-Emaj7 (I-IV in B) for a bright sequence, or use Bmaj7 as a surprise chord in progressions from other keys. In "Giant Steps," Bmaj7 is part of Coltrane's major-third cycle: Bmaj7-D7-Gmaj7-Bb7-Ebmaj7...