Bbm7 Chord (Bb minor 7th) on Guitar
Bbm7 (Bb minor 7th) is made of the notes Bb – Db – F – Ab. The easiest guitar fingering is 686666 (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.
Main shape
Alternative shape
How to play Bbm7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 6 (Bb).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 8 (F).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6 (Ab).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 6 (Db).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 6 (F).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 6 (Bb).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 6 | Bb | R |
| 5th string (A) | 8 | F | 5 |
| 4th string (D) | 6 | Ab | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 6 | Db | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 6 | F | 5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 6 | Bb | R |
What is a Bb minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. Bbm7 contains Bb, Db, F, Ab. Counted from the root Bb, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written A#m7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing Bbm7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain Bbm7
Bbm7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- C# major – vi chord
- F# major – iii chord
- Ab major – ii chord
- Bb minor – i chord
- Eb minor – v chord
- F minor – iv chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Bbm7
Related chords
Bbm7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Bbm7 chord?
Bbm7 (Bb minor 7th) contains the notes Bb, Db, F, Ab. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root Bb.
How do you play Bbm7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Bbm7 is 686666, 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 Bbm7 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 Bbm7 the same as A#m7?
Yes. Bb and A# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Bbm7 and A#m7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Bbm7?
Bbm7 is a diatonic chord in C# major (vi), F# major (iii), Ab major (ii), Bb minor (i), Eb minor (v), F minor (iv).
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