Advanced · With barre

B

12341

Fingering and position

Place the index on the 2nd fret of the A string, the middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string, the ring finger on the 4th fret of the G string, the little finger on the 4th fret of the B string, the index on the 2nd fret of the high E string. One string is muted, do not play it. A barre covers the 2nd fret between strings 1 and 5.

Difficulty

The B chord is advanced: often a barre or a stretched fingering. Tackle it once your basics are fluid.

Often paired chords

Exercise: shuffle it in

A chord on its own gets forgotten. The right reflex: shuffle it with the chords you already know. Launch a shuffle that includes this chord and play it 10 times in different contexts.

The B chord truly comes alive in motion. Launch a shuffle that includes it and play it across 3 or 4 different contexts: that is the best way to embed it in finger memory. Category: Advanced.

Play a shuffle with B

Frequently asked questions

What is the fingering for the B chord on guitar?
Place the index on the 2nd fret of the A string, the middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string, the ring finger on the 4th fret of the G string, the little finger on the 4th fret of the B string, the index on the 2nd fret of the high E string. One string is muted, do not play it. A barre covers the 2nd fret between strings 1 and 5.
Is the B chord easy for a beginner?
The B chord is advanced: often a barre or a stretched fingering. Tackle it once your basics are fluid.
Does the B chord require a barre?
Yes, B is played with a barre at fret 2. Lay your index flat across the strings and place the other fingers according to the diagram.
Which chords pair well with B on guitar?
B pairs naturally with F♯m, C♯m, Amaj7, Dm7. Practise them in a shuffle to memorise the transitions.

Further reading