How to Play a B Major Chord on the Piano

The B major chord, or triad, when played on the piano, is made up of two black keys and one white. This is due to the position of the sharps in the B major scale. In order to easily play the B major chords on the piano, you must practice the root position, first inversion and second inversion chords until your fingers fall on the keys naturally.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Right Hand

1. Start by placing your thumb over a B key on the piano keyboard.

2. Position your middle finger over D#, a major third above B.

3. Place your little finger over F#, a perfect fifth above B.

4. Play the root position B major triad by pressing all three keys down at the same time.

5. Bring your thumb up to D#, your index finger to F# and your little finger to the B key up one octave from your original root key. Press the keys down at the same time to play the first inversion of the B major chord.

6. Adjust your hand position by placing your thumb on F#, your middle finger on B and your little finger on the D# key up one octave from the D# in the root position chord. Press the keys down at the same time to play the second inversion of the B major chord.

Left Hand

7. Start with your little finger over a B key on the piano keyboard.

8. Place your middle finger over D#.

9. Put your thumb over F#.

10. Play the B major triad in root position by pressing all three keys down at the same time.

11. Bring your little finger up to D#, your middle finger to F# and your thumb to B, the key an octave higher than your original root key. Press the keys down at the same time to play the first inversion of the B major chord.

12. Move your little finger to F#, your index finger to B and your thumb to D#, the key an octave higher than the D# in the root position chord. Press the keys down at the same time to play the second inversion of the B major chord.

Tips & Warnings

• The fifth note of a major scale remains constant throughout the root position, first and second inversion chords. The first and third notes of the chord move up an octave during inversions.