The B Minor guitar chord is one of the first barre chords many beginner guitarists learn. This chord is commonly included in chord progressions in the key of D as well as the key of b minor. It is also written as Bm.
Playing the B Minor Chord
Here is B minor in open position on the guitar. It is played by barring the 1st through 5th string with the 1st finger on the second fret. Then place the 2nd finger on the 2nd string 3rd fret. Place the 3rd finger on the 4th string 4th fret, and place the 4th finger on the 3rd string 4th fret.
Chord Variations
The other common version of Bm that you will see is played as a barre chords on the 7th fret. To play this B minor chord you bar across all strings with your 1st finger on the seventh fret. Then place your 3rd finger on the 9th fret 5th string, and place your 4th finger on the 4th string 9th fret. This B minor has a bit more girth to it than the above version.
These two B minor chords are not the only ones on the fretboard. These are the easiest Bm’s to play. Find some others by finding different combinations of B, D, and F# to form the Bm chord.
Try playing some songs with the I V vi IV chord progression that include the Bm chord.
- In the key of D that would be the D, A, Bm, G
- In the key of Bm that would be Bm, F#m, G, Em
For more tips, see how to make your guitar chords easy to play. Also, learn more about guitar chords for beginners including how to take the chords you just learned and move them around the fretboard for new and exciting sounds.
