B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (2024)

The B Major scale contains 7 notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#

B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (1)

You might see the scale written as starting and ending on a B and this can give the scale a ‘complete’ sound. The scale can also be repeating at higher or lower octaves and technically goes on forever.

B Major is a diatonic scale, which means that it is in a key, in this case the key of B!

Table of Contents

How Is The B Major Scale Created?

All Major scalesfollow a specific pattern of tones and semitones (steps and half steps). The tone pattern is:

Tone, Tone, Semi-tone, Tone, Tone, Tone, Semi-tone

If we take the start at a C and follow the pattern we will get the C Major Scale. To create the B Major scale, follow the tone/semitone pattern starting on the note B.

Whichever note you start on, you will always achieve the major scale starting on this note.

B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (2)

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B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (3)

B Major Scale On The Piano

As you can see, if we were to play this scale on the piano diagram we make use of five black keys.

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To play this scale on the piano (with the right hand) use the fingering written below.

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B Major Scale On The Guitar

To play B Major on the guitar use the tab below.

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Degrees Of The Scale: B Flat Major

Each note in the B Major scale has a position that we call the degree of the scale. The first note of the scale is called the ‘tonic’ note.

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All the degree of the scale have specific names as shown below.

  • 1st – Tonic
  • 2nd – Supertonic
  • 3rd – Mediant
  • 4th – Subdominant
  • 5th – Dominant
  • 6th – Submediant
  • 7th Leading Note

Key Signature For B Major

Rather than writing the sharp signs on the individual notes, we can now make use of the key signature. Because every single F, C, G, D and A in the B major scale major are sharp, we can simply write this at the start of the piece!

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And here it is with the full scale.

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Learn more aboutkey signatures with our complete guide.

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B Major Scale In Different Clefs

Treble Clef

Below is the B Major Scale written out in the treble clef, both ascending and descending.

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Bass Clef

Below is the B Major Scale written out in the bass clef, both ascending and descending.

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Alto Clef

Below is the B Major Scale written out in the alto clef, both ascending and descending.

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Tenor Clef

Below is the B Major Scale written out in the tenor clef, both ascending and descending.

B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (13)

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B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (14)

What Is The Relative Minor Of The B Major Scale?

As you can see from the circle of fifths below, G sharp minor is the relative minor scale or B Major. This means that G sharp minor has the same 5 sharps as B major, but it start and ends on a G sharp.

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Learn more aboutMinor Scales with our complete guide.

What Are The Chords In The B Major Scale?

There are chords start on each note of the B Major scale. See our dedicated post on the chords in B major.

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Songs in B Major

Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song

Lady Gaga – Poker Face

Michael Jackson – Thriller

What Do We Mean When We Say A Piece Is ‘In The Key Of B Major’?

If we say that a piece of music is in the key of B major, this means a few things:

  • The key signature will have five sharps, these being the following notes F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp and A sharp.
  • The tonic (or root note) of the piece will be B natural. This note will sound the most stable in the whole piece.
  • The piece will mostly use notes from this scale, these could be in any octave.
  • The chords used will be those chords that are in B major.

What’s Next

  • Learn more othermajor scaleswith our complete guide.
  • Learn about the great variety of scales with ourbeginner’s guide to scales.
B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (2024)

FAQs

What is the B major scale in music? ›

The notes of the B Major scale are B C# D# E F# G# A#. It's key signature has 5 sharps. Press play to listen to the scale.

What is the B flat major scale in music theory? ›

B-flat major is a major scale based on B♭, with pitches B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. Its key signature has two flats. Its relative minor is G minor and its parallel minor is B-flat minor.

Does B major have 5 sharps? ›

Finally, the key of B Major has five sharps - giving it a numeric value of 5. These seven values must be memorized before we can proceed.

How to understand key? ›

In music a key is the major or minor scale around which a piece of music revolves. A song in a major key is based on a major scale. A song in a minor key is based on a minor scale. A song played in the 'key of C major' revolves around the seven notes of the C major scale – C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.

What is the dominant in B major? ›

Dominant – F-sharp major. Submediant – G-sharp minor. Leading-tone – A-sharp diminished.

What does B mean in music theory? ›

In the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Netherlands, as described above, B usually refers to the note a semitone below C, while B-flat refers to the note a whole tone below C.

Are B-flat and A sharp the same? ›

When 1 note has 2 different names, it's called an. enharmonic.

How to memorize key signatures? ›

A mnemonic that works forward and backward is “Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle,” which reversed is “Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father.” A helpful learning device to remember the order of keys in relation to the order of sharps and flats is the circle of fifths .

How many flats are in B major? ›

2 flats

What is the B major triad? ›

The B major chord is a triad formed from a root (B), a major third (D♯) and a perfect fifth (F♯).

What is the hardest key to learn? ›

There is an order of the keys in terms of difficulty, and it is counterintuitive. The most difficult key is C major! In general, the keys that are easiest to learn are simultaneously the least natural for the hand. As a rule of thumb, the more black keys in a given key signature, the more comfortable it will be.

How to tell what key a song is in by ear? ›

1) BY EAR, the quick trick is to listen to the very last note you just sang of the song, and go to a keyboard and find that same note. That is usually the key. 2) BY SIGHT, (if you're using the sheet music) the quick trick is to look at the first chord of the song (“Bb” or “Em” [E minor] ) printed above the music.

What does it mean when a song is in the key of G? ›

When a song is in the key of G major, it means that the chords that create harmony in the song are all based on the G major musical scale. As another example, a song that is in the key of A minor would include chords that are based on the A minor musical scale.

What is the equivalent of the B major scale? ›

B major is a major scale based on B. Its key signature has five sharps. B major's relative minor is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is C-flat major.

Is C-flat the same as B? ›

The direct enharmonic equivalent of C-flat major is B major, a key signature with five sharps.

What notes are in the B major scale chord? ›

The B major scale is a diatonic scale consisting of the pitches B, C, D, E, F, G and A. Its relative minor is G minor. The B major scale has a key signature of 5 sharps: F, C, G, D and A.

What is the difference between B major and B minor? ›

The B major scale contains seven notes and starts and ends on B. Major scales are arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H. The B natural minor scale follows the key signature of its relative major: D major. In natural minor scales, there are no additional accidentals.

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