B Ukulele Chord
B on ukulele is 4-3-2-2: barre the 2nd fret across the E and A strings with your index finger, put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the C string and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning.
- Notes: B, Eb and Gb
- Frets: 4 3 2 2
- Tuning: g C E A
B ukulele chord details
- Type
- Major triad
- Also known as
- B major
- Formula
- 1 3 5
- Intervals
- B (root), Eb (major 3rd), Gb (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- B, Eb and Gb
- Frets
- 4 3 2 2
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the B chord
Here is the B chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string.
- Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the C string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the E and A strings at the 2nd fret, a small barre.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play B?
Yes: play it as x-3-2-2. Barre the 2nd fret across the E and A strings with your index finger, put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the C string and skip the g string. It uses two fingers instead of three. You give up the g string, but every note of the chord is still there, so it works in any song. Use it while the main shape is still settling, then go back to the full voicing for the bigger sound.
What notes are in the B chord?
The B chord is built from three notes: B, Eb and Gb (the root, major 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the B is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. Major chords are the bright, happy ones, which is why so many singalong songs are built on them. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the B chord
The B chord belongs to E Major (the V), B Major (the I), G♭ Major (the IV), C♯ Minor (the VII), G♯ Minor (the III) and E♭ Minor (the VI). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once B feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try B7, Bmaj7, Bm and Bsus4. B pairs most often with E, Gb and Abm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.