The B Major scale contains 7 notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (1) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (1)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-with-Note-Names-1024x271.png)
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) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (2)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-with-tone-and-semitones--1024x280.png)
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![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (3) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (3)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/games-opt-1024x683.jpg)
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.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (4) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (4)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-on-piano-1024x264.png)
To play this scale on the piano (with the right hand) use the fingering written below.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (5) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (5)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-Piano-Fingering-1024x263.png)
B Major Scale On The Guitar
To play B Major on the guitar use the tab below.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (6) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (6)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-Guitart-tab-1024x381.png)
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.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (7) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (7)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-Degree-of-Scale-named-1024x217.png)
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!
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (8) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (8)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-Key-Signature.png)
And here it is with the full scale.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (9) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (9)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-treble-clef-with-key-signature-1024x156.png)
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.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (10) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (10)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-treble-clef-ascending-and-descending-1024x385.png)
Bass Clef
Below is the B Major Scale written out in the bass clef, both ascending and descending.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (11) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (11)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-bass-clef-ascending-and-descending-1024x339.png)
Alto Clef
Below is the B Major Scale written out in the alto clef, both ascending and descending.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (12) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (12)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-alto-clef-ascending-and-descending-1024x342.png)
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) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (13)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-tenor-clef-ascending-and-descending-1024x362.png)
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![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (14) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (14)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/games-opt-1024x683.jpg)
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.
![B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (15) B major Scale Explained: A Music Theory Guide (15)](https://i0.wp.com/jadebultitude.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/B-Major-and-G-Shapr-Major-on-Circle-of-Fifths-942x1024.png)
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.