B Minor Chord (Bm) on Guitar
Bm (B minor) is made of the notes B – D – F#. The easiest guitar fingering is x20402 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Bm
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (B).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 4 (B).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 2 (F#).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 2 | B | R |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | b3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 4 | B | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | R |
| 1st string (high e) | 2 | F# | 5 |
What is a B minor chord?
A minor chord replaces the major third with a minor third, a half step lower. The root and perfect fifth stay the same.
Notes and formula. Bm contains B, D, F#. Counted from the root B, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th).
Sound. Darker, more emotional and introspective than the major version of the same chord.
Where it is used. Minor chords give songs tension and melancholy. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor, and the vi chord is the relative minor, a favourite for ballads.
Tips for playing Bm
Learn each minor chord as a "major chord with one finger moved". Hearing the single-note change trains your ear to tell major from minor.
Common mistake: Playing the major shape by habit. Check the third: if you hear a bright sound where a sad one is needed, the third is wrong.
Keys that contain Bm
Bm is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- D major – vi chord
- G major – iii chord
- A major – ii chord
- B minor – i chord
- E minor – v chord
- F# minor – iv chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over Bm
Related chords
Bm chord FAQ
What notes are in a Bm chord?
Bm (B minor) contains the notes B, D, F#. The formula is R–b3–5 relative to the root B.
How do you play Bm on guitar?
The most common shape for Bm is x20402, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Is Bm an easy guitar chord?
It is rated beginner. It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Which keys contain Bm?
Bm is a diatonic chord in D major (vi), G major (iii), A major (ii), B minor (i), E minor (v), F# minor (iv).
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