Bbmaj7 Chord (Bb major 7th) on Guitar
Bbmaj7 (Bb major 7th) is made of the notes Bb – D – F – A. The easiest guitar fingering is 60033x (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Bbmaj7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 6 (Bb).
- Play the 5th string (A) open (A).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 3 (Bb).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 3 (D).
- Do not play the 1st string (high e).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 6 | Bb | R |
| 5th string (A) | 0 (open) | A | 7 |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | 3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 3 | Bb | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 3 | D | 3 |
| 1st string (high e) | x (mute) | - |
What is a Bb major 7th chord?
A major 7th chord adds a major seventh, one half step below the root, on top of a major triad.
Notes and formula. Bbmaj7 contains Bb, D, F, A. Counted from the root Bb, that is R (root), 3 (major 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), 7 (major 7th). It is also written A#maj7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Smooth, lush and slightly dreamy. It is a major chord with extra sophistication and none of the bluesy tension of a dominant 7th.
Where it is used. Common in soul, jazz, bossa nova, R&B, indie and acoustic pop, usually on the I and IV chords of a major key.
Tips for playing Bbmaj7
Play it softly with your thumb or a light pick attack. Maj7 chords sound best when the notes ring together without being strummed hard.
Common mistake: Strumming every string with force. Some shapes include a close interval (a half step) between two strings that sounds harsh if hit too hard.
Keys that contain Bbmaj7
Bbmaj7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Bbmaj7
Related chords
Bbmaj7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Bbmaj7 chord?
Bbmaj7 (Bb major 7th) contains the notes Bb, D, F, A. The formula is R–3–5–7 relative to the root Bb.
How do you play Bbmaj7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Bbmaj7 is 60033x, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Bbmaj7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Bbmaj7 the same as A#maj7?
Yes. Bb and A# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Bbmaj7 and A#maj7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Bbmaj7?
Bbmaj7 is a diatonic chord in F major (IV), Bb major (I), D minor (VI), G minor (III).
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