The B ukulele chord can be a little tricky to play for many beginners. In this article, we demystify the chord and provide some alternative finger positions to help you out.
Written by Jay Searle / Published October 28, 2022
Last updated: April 4, 2024
Chord diagrams for the B ukulele chord with suggested fingerings and variations are shown below:
The B ukulele chord is a little more difficult than the other major chords we have encountered so far. This major chord will have you playing it in a barred position from the get-go. Sounds a little intimidating, but I’m confident you’ll be able to master it.
So, let’s have a bit of a closer look at what makes up the B Major chord, where it comes from, and how to play this slightly more complicated chord.
Table of Contents
What Notes Are in the B Ukulele Chord?
The B Major chord is made up of three notes, namely B, D# and F#. These notes are taken from the B Major scale. The key of B Major has 5 sharps, which is quite a few to keep track of. The major triad, or B Major chord, consists of the major scale’s first, third and fifth notes.
The ukulele gives us a wealth of possibilities for playing this chord. Let’s have a look at a few of them.
How Do You Play the B Major Chord?
There are several ways to play the B Major chord. The first variation we are going to look at requires that you barre the E and A strings at the 2nd fret. This barre is what sometimes makes it feel difficult for beginners. Don’t worry, you are certainly not the only one who may find it difficult at first.
So, let’s have a look at the chord. Ukuleles are typically tuned G (4th string), C (3rd string), E (2nd string) and A on the 1st string. It’s important to note, though, that unlike the guitar, the 4th string is not your lowest tone, that is the C or 3rd string on a ukulele. This is because most ukuleles use re-entrant tuning where the 4th string is tuned up an octave.
B Ukulele Chord Variations
Next, we’ll look at playing the B Major chord in different positions of the ukulele. As we move up the fretboard, the order in which we play the notes will change, giving the chord a slightly different sound depending on which note is in the bass. It’s important to note that we are still playing the same notes – that is B, D#, and F# – just in different orders on the strings.
We’ll show you a few different variations for playing B Major, but this list is not at all exhaustive. Once you know your way around the fretboard, it’s possible to come up with your own shapes and fingerings for any chord!
B Ukulele Chord: 1st Variation
You can also play the B Major with different fingerings. While learning B Major is tough, this fingering is less challenging than the previous one, but still requires a bit of dexterity. There is no need to barre the chord, but you do need to shift your fretting hand position to the fourth fret. The stretch across two frets can make a beginner uncomfortable but it’s quite doable. Keep experimenting with what works for you and feels the most natural in your playing.
B Ukulele Chord: 2nd Variation
The third way to play the B Major chord will really work for those of us who are having a little trouble getting all our unwilling fingers to cooperate. In this version, we move our fretting hand position again, this time to the 6th fret. While you are going to be playing a barre again, there are no big stretches in this chord, and you are only using two fingers. This makes it one of the easiest ways to play the B Major.
Learning the B major chord has intimidated many a beginner ukulele player. It is one of the harder chords to master for beginner players, but a little time and practice will sort that out.
This video from Pierre Hache gives a practical demonstration of how to play this tricky chord.
How to Play B Major on a Baritone
When have I ever forgotten baritone players? The baritone is tuned d-G-B-E. That means that in order to play the B Major chord you will have to change the placement of your fingers.
Have a look at the diagram below to see how to play the B Major on the baritone ukulele.
What Songs Use the B Ukulele Chord?
Now that you have put in the time and effort to learn the B Major chord, let’s have a look at some practical applications.
The first suggestion for your repertoire is this video tutorial by Cynthia Lyn Music. She teaches you how to play Radiohead’s well-known number, Creep, which uses the B Major chord to great effect.
And if you are feeling adventurous and really want to build those barre chord chops, then check out this video by The Ukulele Teacher. The video is super informative and will help you with playing barre chords. You’ll be a pro in no time at all.
Conclusion
Certain chords on the ukulele are tricky to learn, especially if some notes are not available on open strings. The B Major chord is definitely one of them. But, by following our guide, your fingers will eventually get used to playing the B ukulele chord in no time at all.
Jay Searle
Website Founder & Writer
Jay is a self-professed music nerd and ukulele lover. When not working on the website you’ll find him strumming along to his favorite tunes, spending time with his family, or learning to play the piano.
