Article
Augmented Chords on Guitar: Bright Tension and Where to Use Them
Learn augmented chords on guitar - shapes, theory, and creative uses. These bright, tense chords add color and sophistication to your playing.
B major guitar shapes
Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions
Showing 8 of 49 playable shapes
About the chord
B major guitar chord
The B major major chord, built from the root (B major), major third D♯, and perfect fifth F♯, delivers a bright, harmonious sound that feels resolved and complete. Its balanced structure makes it the foundation of Western harmony, widely used across all genres to convey joy, strength, and stability.
Root note: B
Quality: major
Chord tones: 3
Playable shapes: 49
Chord tones
BD♯F♯
Notes & Intervals
Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.
B Unison (Root) 1
The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.
D♯ Major Third 3
This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.
F♯ Perfect Fifth 5
The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.
Related Articles
Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.
Article
Barre Chords: Why They Buzz & Fixes
Struggling with barre chords? Learn exactly why they buzz, how to fix your technique, and a progressive practice plan to build the strength you need.
Article
How to Break Out of the First Three Frets on Guitar
Move beyond open chords and first-position shapes. Learn barre chords, moveable shapes, and exercises to expand your playing up the neck.
Article
How to Change Chords on the Beat: Timing Tips for Clean Transitions
Master the timing of chord changes so you land perfectly on the beat without hesitation or stumbling.
Article
How to Build Chords from Scratch: Guitar Chord Construction Guide
Learn chord construction step-by-step: intervals, triads, sevenths, and extensions. Build any chord from theory to fretboard.
Article
Understanding Chord Function on Guitar: Tonic, Subdominant, and Dominant
Learn how chord function creates satisfaction and tension in progressions, and why some songs feel complete while others feel unresolved.