Definition of B major
B major is a major scale based on B. The pitches B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯ are all part of the B major scale. Its key signature has five sharps. Its relative minor is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is C-flat major.
Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary. The B harmonic major and melodic major scales are:
Although B major is usually considered a remote key (due to its distance from C major in the circle of fifths and fairly large number of sharps), Frédéric Chopin regarded its scale as the easiest of all to play on the piano, as its black notes fit the natural positions of the fingers well; as a consequence he often assigned it first to beginning piano students, leaving the scale of C major until last because he considered it the hardest of all scales to play completely evenly (because of its complete lack of black notes).
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Key (music)
In Western tonal music, a key represents the most common pitches and the center of tonal…
Mozart and G minor
G minor has been considered the key through which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart best expressed…
D-flat major
D-flat major is a major scale based on D♭, consisting of the pitches D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭…
C-sharp major
C-sharp major is a major scale based on C♯, consisting of the pitches C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯…
F-sharp major
F-sharp major is a major scale based on F♯, consisting of the pitches F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯…
B-flat minor
B-flat minor is a minor scale based on B♭, consisting of the pitches B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F…
E major
E major is a major scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and…
F-sharp minor
F-sharp minor is a minor scale based on F♯, consisting of the pitches F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯…
D major
D major is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and…
Questions people ask
Real questions from the Stack Exchange community – follow a link to read the discussion.
- Key signature for writing in modes other than major and minor · Music SE
- The major scale - why and how? · Music SE
- How do you convert a major song to a minor and vice versa? · Music SE
- When were the terms "Major" and "Minor" applied to keys? · Music SE
- Why do many songs in major keys use a bVII chord? · Music SE
- How many (major and minor) keys are there? Why? · Music SE
Frequently asked questions
What is B major?
B major is a major scale based on B. The pitches B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯ are all part of the B major scale. Its key signature has five sharps.