B major piano chord

How to play B on piano

First, find B, the root of this chord. Then add D♯, the major third. Add F♯ to complete the triad.

Play the notes together to hear the harmony, or one at a time to hear how the intervals form the chord. Start at a comfortable octave; the diagram shows one reference voicing, not the only valid place to play it.

What makes B distinctive?

B major is a useful introduction to sharp note spellings. Its written notes are B–D♯–F♯, with both upper chord tones on black keys.

How does B compare with a related chord?

Compare B major to B minor (B–D–F♯). The only difference is whether the third is D♯ or D natural.

A practice exercise for B

Hold B and F♯, alternate D and D♯ in the middle, and hear how one semitone changes the overall harmony.

One mistake to avoid

Avoid writing E♭ in place of D♯ in this B major chord: they sound alike on the piano but have different scale-degree names.

Finger numbers depend on your hand size, octave and musical context; there isn't one universally correct fingering for every voicing.