B is a major, spelled B, D# and F#. In Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) the easiest shape is x24442, which sits at fret 2, needs a barre across 5 strings at fret 2 and mutes 1 string. 12 positions for it are shown below, from the nut up to fret 13.
Notes and intervals
Note
B
D#
F#
Interval
1P
3M
5P
12 ways to play it
Ordered by how hard they are to fret, easiest first, one per position on the neck. Fret numbers are relative to the position marked beside each grid.
x24442sits at fret 2, needs a barre across 5 strings at fret 2 and mutes 1 stringx21402sits at fret 1, spans 3 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 1 string799877sits at fret 7 and needs a barre across 6 strings at fret 7764407sits at fret 4, needs a barre across 2 strings at fret 4 and lets 1 string ring openxx911011sits at fret 9, spans 2 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 2 stringsxx980xsits at fret 8, spans 1 fret, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 3 strings76980xsits at fret 6, spans 3 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 1 stringx141311014sits at fret 11, spans 3 frets, lets 1 string ring open and mutes 1 string141413xxxsits at fret 13, spans 1 fret and mutes 3 stringsx2444xsits at fret 2, spans 2 frets and mutes 2 stringsxxx442sits at fret 2, spans 2 frets and mutes 3 strings221xxxsits at fret 1, spans 1 fret and mutes 3 strings
The five shapes
Every shape below is one of the five open chords moved up the neck, with a finger — or the nut — standing in for the open strings. B turns up as an A shape, a G shape, an E shape and a D shape: A at fret 2, G at fret 4, E at fret 7, D at fret 9.
A shapeB as an A shape: barre at fret 2, fingered x24442.G shapeB as a G shape: barre at fret 4, fingered 764447.E shapeB as an E shape: barre at fret 7, fingered 799877.D shapeB as a D shape: index finger at fret 9, fingered xx9111211.
Keys B belongs to
B is diatonic to 24 of the 96 keys this app knows, playing a different role in each.