How to play the Bmaj7#5 chord on guitar
Spice up your playing with this jazzy chord, featured in "Wonderwall" and more!
The Bmaj7#5 chord
The Bmaj7#5 chord, pronounced "B major seven sharp five", is a unique and intriguing guitar chord. It features a sharp fifth note that adds a sense of tension and sophistication to the standard major seventh sound. This chord is often used in jazz, fusion, and progressive rock genres to create complex harmonies and add an element of surprise to chord progressions.
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common Bmaj7#5 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for Bmaj7#5 chord
The most common way to play the Bmaj7#5 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.
Follow these finger positions to play a Bmaj7#5 chord on your guitar:
- Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret.
- Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
To strum this chord, place your fingers in the correct positions and strum all six strings together in a downward motion.
How to play an easy Bmaj7#5 chord on guitar
If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bmaj7#5 chord, try playing a standard B major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string, ring finger on the 4th fret of the G string, and strum these three strings.
How to play a Bmaj7#5 bar chord
The Bmaj7#5 chord is typically played as an open chord, but playing it as a barre chord can be useful when you need to quickly transition to other barre chords or want to play the chord in a higher position on the fretboard.
Here's how to play a Bmaj7#5 barre chord:
- Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, creating a barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Strum all six strings from the low E string to the high E string.
Common Bmaj7#5 chord progressions
The Bmaj7#5 chord, also known as the Bmaj7+5 or Bmaj7(#5), adds a unique and slightly unsettling flavor to chord progressions, often creating a sense of tension or longing that seeks resolution. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Bmaj7#5 chord:
- I - IV - Bmaj7#5 - IV (B - E - Bmaj7#5 - E)
- vi - Bmaj7#5 - IV - V (G#m - Bmaj7#5 - E - F#)
- ii - V - Bmaj7#5 - I (C#m - F# - Bmaj7#5 - B)
- iii - Bmaj7#5 - vi - IV (D#m - Bmaj7#5 - G#m - E)
- Bmaj7#5 - V - I - vi (Bmaj7#5 - F# - B - G#m)
Drills to master the Bmaj7#5 chord
To master the Bmaj7#5 chord, try playing it in different rhythmic patterns. Start with whole notes, then progress to half notes, quarter notes, and finally eighth notes. This drill helps develop muscle memory and familiarity with the chord shape.
Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the Bmaj7#5 chord and other common chords in the key of B, such as E, F#, and G#m. Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining a consistent tempo. Regularly incorporating these transitions into your practice routine will improve your ability to use the Bmaj7#5 chord in musical contexts.
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Songs that feature the Bmaj7#5 chord
Here are 3 popular songs you can play with the Bmaj7#5 chord.
- Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk (Bmaj7#5, Ebmin7, Bbmin7, Amin7b5, D7b9, Gmaj7, F#7b9, Fmin7)
- Ana Maria by Wayne Shorter (Bmaj7#5, Ebmin7, F#7sus, Bmaj7)
- Straight, No Chaser by Thelonious Monk (Bmaj7#5, F7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Bmaj7, Emaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Gmaj7, C7, F#7, B7, E7, A7, D7, G7, C#7)
How a guitar teacher can help
If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.
You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.