Key

The key of B major · 5 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Relative minor: G♯ minor — the same notes and key signature. Parallel minor: B minor. Scale: B major scale.

Notes in the key

BC♯D♯EF♯G♯A♯

Chords in B major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I B

B D♯ F♯

ii C♯m

C♯ E G♯

iii D♯m

D♯ F♯ A♯

IV E

E G♯ B

V F♯

F♯ A♯ C♯

vi G♯m

G♯ B D♯

vii° A♯dim

A♯ C♯ E

Common progressions in B major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV B – F♯ – G♯m – E Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV B – E – F♯ – E The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V B – G♯m – E – F♯ The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V G♯m – E – B – F♯ The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues B7 – E7 – F♯7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I C♯m7 – F♯7 – Bmaj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V B – G♯m – C♯m – F♯ Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V B – F♯ – G♯m – D♯m – E – B – E – F♯ The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I B – A – E – B

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so B major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.