B major
Major key. Scale: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#.
Octaves
Musical context
How the key relates to the chord, scale, mode and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- B major
- Mode
- Major
- Tonic
- B
- Key signature
5 sharps: C, D, F, G, A.
- Key character
- Scale degree 3 clearly distinguishes major from the parallel minor, while the leading tone strengthens V–I resolution. In equal temperament, tonic pitch alone does not determine mood; melody, harmony, register, tempo, and texture do.
- Overview
- The B major key sets its stable tones and typical harmonic connections. Major keys are built on the Ionian mode (steps 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1), minor keys on the Aeolian (2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2). The number of accidentals marks the key's position on the circle of fifths.
Key composition
1Broot
2C#major 2nd
3D#major 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
7A#major 7th
Key construction
- Interval formula
- BWC#WD#HEWF#WG#WA#
- Explanation
- The major scale follows the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. Its degrees form the key’s diatonic chords, while scale degree 3 defines the major quality.
Related keys
- Relative key
- G# minor
- Parallel key
- B minor
- Reference mode
- B Ionian (major)
Harmonic functions
TTonicI (B), iii (D#m), vi (G#m)
SSubdominantii (C#m), IV (E)
DDominantV (F#), vii° (A#dim)
- Overview
- Tonic is the stable centre of a key. Predominant function moves away from tonic and prepares dominant; dominant points toward resolution in tonic. The scheme Tonic → Predominant → Dominant → Tonic describes a basic functional progression but does not exhaust tonal harmony.
Chords by degree
Primary triads
- Tonic triad 1 – 3 – 5
- Subdominant triad 4 – 6 – 1
- Dominant triad 5 – 7 – 2
B—D#—F#
E—G#—B
F#—A#—C#
Tensions & resolutions
VIIA#A#
IBB
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IVEE
IIID#D#
In dominant harmony, scale degree 4 normally falls by semitone to 3.
IIC#C#
IBB
Scale degree 2 may resolve downward by step to tonic.
Harmonic context
B major is a major key. Diatonic chords are built on its seven scale degrees, and functional motion commonly connects tonic, predominant, and dominant.
Natural progressions
Cadences
VF#F#
IBB
An authentic cadence resolves dominant function into tonic.
IVEE
VF#F#
IBB
A complete functional progression connects predominant, dominant, and tonic.
This key on guitar 🎸
See how B major looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
Usage & Practice
Application in music
- Major-key diatonic chords support motion among tonic, predominant, and dominant without leaving the key.
- The authentic V – I progression emphasises the tonal centre through the leading tone and resolution of the dominant tritone.
- Patterns such as I – V – vi – IV can be transposed into this key without changing scale-degree relationships.
- Musical character depends not only on mode and tonic but also on melody, rhythm, register, tempo, texture, and timbre.
Practice
- Play the tonic chord (B), then compare it with the other diatonic chords: tonic serves as the stable centre of the key.
- Alternate B and F# (I – V – I), focusing on the leading tone resolving to tonic.
- Add E (IV): play E – F# – B to hear predominant–dominant–tonic motion.
- Sing the key's scale, emphasizing degrees I, III and V — these are the anchor notes.
- Improvise a melody starting and ending on the tonic to reinforce the sense of center.
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.