B♭maj7 (B flat major seventh) is built from 4 notes: B♭, D, F, A.
- B♭root
- Dmajor third
- Fperfect fifth
- Amajor seventh
Formula: 1, 3, 5, 7
How to play B♭maj7 on guitar
x 1 3 2 3 16 x 7 7 6 xRead the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.
Easier way: there is no open B♭maj7 shape, so it is usually played with one of the movable shapes above. With a capo you can use a shape you already know: capo on fret 1 and play the Amaj7 shape, or capo on fret 3 and play the Gmaj7 shape.
How to play B♭maj7 on piano
Play B♭, D, F, A together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb on B♭). Your left hand can play B♭ an octave lower for a fuller sound.
Where B♭maj7 is used
B♭maj7 is the one chord (Imaj7) in the key of B♭ major and the four chord (IVmaj7) in the key of F major. Take B♭ and add one note, A, which sits a half step below the root. That close pair of notes gives the chord its soft, open sound, and you hear it a lot in jazz, soul, R&B and lo-fi.
Progressions with B♭maj7
Do not mix it up with B♭7. That chord has a flat seventh and sounds tense. B♭maj7 has the major seventh and sounds settled.
Related chords
Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.