Piano chord · Triads
B major chord on piano
Right hand: B (1), D♯ (3), F♯ (5)
How to play B on piano: the keys to press, which fingers to use, inversions and how it’s written on the staff.
Bright, stable and resolved — the foundation of most songs.
B is the I chord in B major, IV in F♯ major and V in E major. In minor keys: III in G♯ minor, V in E minor, VI in E♭ minor and VII in C♯ minor.
- Notes
- BD♯F♯
- Formula
- 135
- Built from
- root · major 3rd · perfect 5th
Piano
Root position · numbers are finger numbers
How to play it
Right handB1 · thumbD♯3 · middleF♯5 · pinky
Left handB5 · pinkythe root, an octave lower
Finger numbers: 1 thumb · 2 index · 3 middle · 4 ring · 5 pinky. Inversions use the same notes with a different one on the bottom — they help you move smoothly between chords. Tap any key to hear it.
Tips for playing B on piano
B, D♯, F♯ — the two upper notes are black keys, so the thumb takes the white B.
You’ll find B in common progressions such as B–F♯–G♯m–E (the pop progression in B major), B–E–F♯–E (three-chord rock in B major) and B–G♯m–E–F♯ (the ’50s progression in B major).
