B Ionian Mode

The B Ionian Mode has a Major quality due to its Major Third D. The Ionian Mode, like B Ionian Mode, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, C in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as B Ionian Mode in this example. B Ionian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. The B Ionian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Ionian Mode later became known as the Major Scale. B Ionian Mode is therefore identical to the B Major Scale.

Below you will find the B Ionian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the B Ionian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Notes Ascending

B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B

Notes Descending

B, A, G, F, E, D, C, B

Notation Ascending

Notation Descending

Pattern Ascending

T, T, S, T, T, T, S

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

S, T, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
B1Tonic
C2Supertonic
D3Mediant
E4Subdominant
F5Dominant
G6Submediant
A7Leading Tone
B8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
B8Tonic (Octave)
A7Leading Tone
G6Submediant
F5Dominant
E4Subdominant
D3Mediant
C2Supertonic
B1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
B > B0Perfect Unison (P1)
B > C2Major 2nd (M2)
B > D4Major 3rd (M3)
B > E5Perfect 4th (P4)
B > F7Perfect 5th (P5)
B > G9Major 6th (M6)
B > A11Major 7th (M7)
B > B12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
B > B0Perfect Unison (P1)
B > A1minor 2nd (m2)
B > G3minor 3rd (m3)
B > F5Perfect 4th (P4)
B > E7Perfect 5th (P5)
B > D8minor 6th (m6)
B > C10minor 7th (m7)
B > B12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to B Ionian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the B Ionian Mode but different spelling.

A♯ Ionian Mode

Chords related to B Ionian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the B Ionian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I Chord - B Major

ii Chord - C Minor

iii Chord - D Minor

IV Chord - E Major

V Chord - F Major

vi Chord - G Minor

viio Chord - A Diminished

Learn to Play B Ionian Mode

Instrument View

See B Ionian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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