The B chord

Most chords in this section have an open shape with ringing open strings. B does not, because its notes do not fall conveniently on the open strings. So there are three ways to play it, from easiest to hardest. Learn the first straight away and work towards the last.

B7 is a different chord from B, with one extra note, but in a lot of songs, especially in the key of E, it does the job beautifully and needs no barre.

• Finger 2 on the A string, second fret.
• Finger 1 on the D string, first fret.
• Finger 3 on the G string, second fret.
• The B string rings open.
• Finger 4 on the high E string, second fret.
• Don't play the low E.

This one is a real B major, on the top four strings only.

• Finger 3 lies flat across the D, G and B strings at the fourth fret.
• Finger 1 on the high E string, second fret.
• Strum only the top four strings.

Laying finger 3 flat takes a little practice. Bend its top joint backwards slightly, so the fingertip does not mute the high E underneath it.

This is the full barre chord, and it uses the A shape moved up the neck. Finger 1 is the barre, acting as a new nut at the second fret.

• Finger 1 across the top five strings at the second fret.
• Finger 3 flat across the D, G and B strings at the fourth fret.
• Don't play the low E.

Some players use three separate fingers, 2, 3 and 4, at the fourth fret instead of one flat finger. Try both.

Here is why barre chords are worth the effort. Slide the full B shape up one fret and it becomes C. Up two frets from B and it is C#. The shape stays the same and the name follows the fret. You will see exactly how that works in the lesson on the notes of the neck.