stringery

B major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position3 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. BRW
  2. C♯2W
  3. D♯3H
  4. E4W
  5. F♯5W
  6. G♯6W
  7. A♯7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckB major

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12345EADGBE357912154567R23457R234567R34567R23467R234567R234567R24567R2345

Position 3 is outlined, frets 6 to 9. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The B major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. BI
  2. C♯mii
  3. D♯miii
  4. EIV
  5. F♯V
  6. G♯mvi
  7. A♯dimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • G♯ minor

    Same notes, but home is G♯: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • C♯ dorian

    Same notes, but home is C♯: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • F♯ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • E lydian

    Same notes, but home is E: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • E♭ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: dark, spanish, menacing.