How to play the Bmaj7#5 chord on guitar

The Bmaj7#5 chord, pronounced "B major seven sharp five", is a unique and intriguing guitar chord. It features a sharp fifth note that adds a sense of tension and sophistication to the standard major seventh sound. This chord is often used in jazz, fusion, and progressive rock genres to create complex harmonies and add an element of surprise to chord progressions.

The most common way to play the Bmaj7#5 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bmaj7#5 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret.
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, place your fingers in the correct positions and strum all six strings together in a downward motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bmaj7#5 chord, try playing a standard B major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string, ring finger on the 4th fret of the G string, and strum these three strings.

The Bmaj7#5 chord is typically played as an open chord, but playing it as a barre chord can be useful when you need to quickly transition to other barre chords or want to play the chord in a higher position on the fretboard.

Here's how to play a Bmaj7#5 barre chord:

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.
5. Strum all six strings from the low E string to the high E string.

The Bmaj7#5 chord, also known as the Bmaj7+5 or Bmaj7(#5), adds a unique and slightly unsettling flavor to chord progressions, often creating a sense of tension or longing that seeks resolution. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Bmaj7#5 chord:

• I - IV - Bmaj7#5 - IV (B - E - Bmaj7#5 - E)
• vi - Bmaj7#5 - IV - V (G#m - Bmaj7#5 - E - F#)
• ii - V - Bmaj7#5 - I (C#m - F# - Bmaj7#5 - B)
• iii - Bmaj7#5 - vi - IV (D#m - Bmaj7#5 - G#m - E)
• Bmaj7#5 - V - I - vi (Bmaj7#5 - F# - B - G#m)

To master the Bmaj7#5 chord, try playing it in different rhythmic patterns. Start with whole notes, then progress to half notes, quarter notes, and finally eighth notes. This drill helps develop muscle memory and familiarity with the chord shape.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the Bmaj7#5 chord and other common chords in the key of B, such as E, F#, and G#m. Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining a consistent tempo. Regularly incorporating these transitions into your practice routine will improve your ability to use the Bmaj7#5 chord in musical contexts.

Here are 3 popular songs you can play with the Bmaj7#5 chord.

1. Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk (Bmaj7#5, Ebmin7, Bbmin7, Amin7b5, D7b9, Gmaj7, F#7b9, Fmin7)
2. Ana Maria by Wayne Shorter (Bmaj7#5, Ebmin7, F#7sus, Bmaj7)
3. Straight, No Chaser by Thelonious Monk (Bmaj7#5, F7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Bmaj7, Emaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Gmaj7, C7, F#7, B7, E7, A7, D7, G7, C#7)