The B major scale is a musical scale that contains the pitches B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. This scale is used in many genres of music, including classical, jazz, and pop. The key signature for B major has five sharps. The relative minor of B major is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its enharmonic equivalent is C-flat major.
B major scale is:
| Relative key | G-sharp minor |
|---|---|
| Parallel key | B minor |
| Dominant key | F-sharp major |
| Subdominant | E major |
| Enharmonic | C-flat major |
How to play B major scale on the piano
- Start on the key of B, which is the first white key to the right of the group of two black keys.
- Play the white key to the right of B (C#).
- Play the white key to the right of C# (D#).
- Play the white key to the right of D# (F#).
- Play the white key to the right of F# (G#).
- Play the white key to the right of G# (A#).
- Play the white key to the right of A# (B).
- Play the octave of the starting B key.
This is the ascending version of the scale, you can also play the descending version by starting from B and playing the white key to the left of B (A#), G#, F#, D#, C#, and then B.
Here’s how to play the B major scale on the piano, with both hands separately and then together. First, learn the notes and finger positions for the right hand. Then do the same for the left hand. Finally, put both hands together. Remember, B has a new left-hand pattern compared to C major.
