Bmaj7 Chord
Major 7th chords have a dreamy, sophisticated, and harmonically rich sound. The natural 7th (just a half step below the octave) creates a gentle shimmer that makes them instantly recognisable in jazz, bossa nova, and R&B.
Notes in Bmaj7
The Bmaj7 major 7th chord contains B — E♭ — F♯ — B♭. It is built from the following intervals above the root:
| Degree | Interval name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | B |
| 3 | Major third | E♭ |
| 5 | Perfect fifth | F♯ |
| 7 | Major seventh | B♭ |
Interval formula: root (1) — major third (3) — perfect fifth (5) — major seventh (7) (0, 4, 7, 11 semitones).
Sound and Character
Major 7th chords have a dreamy, sophisticated, and harmonically rich sound. The natural 7th (just a half step below the octave) creates a gentle shimmer that makes them instantly recognisable in jazz, bossa nova, and R&B. Bmaj7 is built on B major with a natural 7th (B♭) added. Unlike the dominant 7th, the major 7th does not create tension — it enriches and colours the major triad.
Key Function
Bmaj7 appears naturally as Imaj7 or IVmaj7 in B major and E major. The Imaj7 or IVmaj7 chord in major keys. Unlike the dominant 7th, the major 7th chord does not create tension — it deepens and colours the tonic.
Famous Songs Featuring Bmaj7
- Bmaj7 jazz voicings
- Modern pop in B major
Voicing Tips
Drop the 5th for a cleaner sound — root, 3rd, and 7th form the essential colour of the chord. This three-note voicing is practical on both piano and guitar. Open the MusoKit chord finder to see Bmaj7 on piano, guitar, and ukulele with audio playback — compare voicings across instruments to find the one that fits your playing style.
FAQs
What notes are in the Bmaj7 chord?
The Bmaj7 major 7th chord contains: B — E♭ — F♯ — B♭. The intervals are root (1) — major third (3) — perfect fifth (5) — major seventh (7).
What key is the Bmaj7 chord in?
Bmaj7 appears naturally as Imaj7 or IVmaj7 in B major and E major.
How do you play Bmaj7 on guitar?
Open the chord finder to see common guitar voicings for Bmaj7. Bmaj7 is available in multiple positions — the chord finder shows the most practical shapes for each instrument.
What is the difference between B major and Bmaj7?
Bmaj7 is built on B major with a natural 7th (B♭) added. Unlike the dominant 7th, the major 7th does not create tension — it enriches and colours the major triad.
What chords go well with Bmaj7?
Chords from the same key sound most natural alongside Bmaj7. Use the scale explorer to explore the full set of diatonic chords in the keys where Bmaj7 appears, and the circle of fifths to find harmonically adjacent chords.