Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
B minor chord (Bm) — guitar chord chart
Bm is a minor chord built on B. Its notes are B, D, F♯. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour.
Bm chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play Bm
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 2, from the 5th string to the 1st string (the barre).
- Ring (3) on the 4th string, fret 4 (F♯).
- Little finger (4) on the 3rd string, fret 4 (B).
- Middle (2) on the 2nd string, fret 3 (D).
- Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play string 6.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 2 and play the open Am shape — it sounds as Bm. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in Bm
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | root |
| ♭3 | D | minor 3rd |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th |
Progressions with Bm
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the Bm chord?
- Bm (B minor) has 3 notes: B, D, F♯.
- Is Bm hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 2 you can use the open Am shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between Bm and B?
- B is B D♯ F♯. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour.