How to play the Bmaj7 chord on guitar

The Bmaj7 chord, pronounced B major seventh, is a rich and versatile chord that adds sophistication to various musical genres. Formed by combining the notes B, D#, F#, and A#, this chord creates a dreamy and slightly jazzy sound. Bmaj7 is commonly used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul, and can be heard in songs like "PYT" by Michael Jackson and "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder.

The standard way to play the Bmaj7 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bmaj7 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use a pick or your thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bmaj7 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Leave the other strings open.
4. Strum only the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings.

The barre chord version of Bmaj7 is a great option when you need a full, rich sound that can be easily moved up and down the fretboard.

Here's how to play a Bmaj7 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 7th fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from the 6th (low E) string to the 1st (high E) string.

The Bmaj7 chord is often used in progressions to add a sense of sophistication, warmth, and resolution. These progressions can evoke feelings of contentment, nostalgia, and sometimes a hint of bittersweetness. Here are some common Bmaj7 chord progressions:

• I - vi - IV - V (Bmaj7 - G#m7 - Emaj7 - F#7)
• ii - V - I (C#m7 - F#7 - Bmaj7) Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Misty"
• iii - VI - ii - V (D#m7 - G#7 - C#m7 - F#7)
• I - vi - ii - V (Bmaj7 - G#m7 - C#m7 - F#7) Used in "Autumn Leaves" and "The Girl from Ipanema"
• I - IV - vii° - iii - vi - ii - V (Bmaj7 - Emaj7 - A#m7b5 - D#m7 - G#m7 - C#m7 - F#7)

To master the Bmaj7 guitar chord, try playing the individual notes (B, D#, F#, A#) one at a time, focusing on each note's clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in various sequences, such as ascending, descending, or alternating patterns.

Another effective drill is to play the Bmaj7 chord in different rhythmic patterns, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, or syncopated rhythms. This helps develop muscle memory and improves your ability to switch to the chord smoothly during songs. Experiment with various strumming patterns to add dynamics and texture to your playing.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bmaj7 chord:

1. Hey Jude by The Beatles (F, C, G, D, Bm, Am, Bmaj7)
2. Desperado by Eagles (G, G7, C, Cm, Bmaj7, Am7, Em7, A7, Dm7, Bm7)
3. Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (Bmaj7, Dmaj7, Cmaj7, Amaj7, Gmaj7, F#m7, Bm7)
4. Tiny Dancer by Elton John (Bmaj7, F#7, Em7, C#m7, F#7, Bm7, E7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Gmaj7, C#m7, F#7)
5. My Favorite Things by John Coltrane (Em, Bmaj7, Em7, Am7, Dmaj7, G7, Cmaj7, B7)
6. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (Emaj7, C#m7, F#7, Bmaj7, Bm7, E7, Amaj7, C#m7, F#7)
7. Moon River by Henry Mancini (Gmaj7, Cmaj7, Bmaj7, Bbdim, Am7, D7)
8. Here, There and Everywhere by The Beatles (G, Bm, Gmaj7, Bm7, C, Am, Bmaj7, Cm, G, A7, Am7, D7)
9. Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin (Cmaj7, Dm7, G7, Em7, Am7, Dm7, Bmaj7, E7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
10. This Masquerade by George Benson (Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Em7, Amaj7, F#m7, Bmaj7, C#m7, F#7)