How to Play a Bm Chord on Guitar

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The B minor guitar chord (Bm chord) is a very useful chord found in a number of songs, but can be a bit difficult for beginners. This is mostly because it requires a barre. In other words, you have to hold down multiple strings with one finger. [1] An easy way to start learning this chord, however, is to simplify or completely remove the barre. We’ll show you three different ways, with barres and sans barres, so that you can start strumming the Bm chord.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 3 Strings (Beginner)

PDF download Download Article
  1. To start this simple version of the Bm chord, put your pointer finger on the first E string at the second fret. [2]
  2. Next, put your middle finger on the second B string at the third fret. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Finally, put your ring finger on the third G string at the fourth fret. [4]
  4. [5]
  5. Starting from the open D string, drag your pick or thumb across the D, G, B, and E strings to play the Bm chord. Do not include the sixth E nor the fifth A string. [6]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 5 Strings (Intermediate)

PDF download Download Article
  1. A “barre” is when you use the same fingering across more than one string. [7]
    • In this intermediate version of the chord, start by placing your first finger on the fifth A string at the second fret.
    • Press it down it flat across to the first E string.
    • All five strings should now be pressed down at the second fret.
    EXPERT TIP

    Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA

    Professional Guitarist
    Carlos Alonzo Rivera is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in San Francisco, California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University, Chico, as well as a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Carlos specializes in the following genres: classical, jazz. rock, metal and blues.
    Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA
    Professional Guitarist

    Our Expert Agrees: To bar with your index finger, you want to press the finger as close to the metal fret as possible and curve the other fingers like the letter C.

  2. Just as the previous method, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret. [8]
  3. This is different from the previous method in that you put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. [9]
  4. You’re actually going to put your fourth pinky finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger. [10]
  5. For this intermediate version, you’re not going to play the sixth E string. Instead, start your pick or thumb on the fifth string and strum through to the first to play the chord. Do not include the sixth E string. [11]
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 6 Strings (Advanced)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This time, extend your first finger across all six strings. [12]
    • Start by placing your first finger on the sixth E string at the second fret.
    • Press it down it flat across all the strings to the first E string.
    • All six strings should now be pressed down at the second fret.
  2. Just as the previous methods, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret. [13]
  3. Similar to intermediate method, put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. [14]
  4. Finally, put your fourth finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger. [15]
  5. For this full version, you’re going to play all six strings, so go ahead and strum all the way through. [16]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Isn't the simplest guitar chord Em or A7?
    Community Answer
    Em7 is the simplest chord, it's 1 finger on second fret of the fifth string.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 26
  • Question
    What are ways to play F?
    George Malen
    Community Answer
    You can either play it with a barre on the first fret, or only strumming the F on the 4th string, the A on the third string and the C on the 2nd string and the E on the first string.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 10
  • Question
    Should I use a pick?
    Community Answer
    It's a matter of personal preference whether or not you use a pick.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 35
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • In order to really learn a chord, it’s not enough to just be able to finger the chord. The real mastery comes in being able to move from one chord to another. Try practicing chord shifting exercises like this to help. [17]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Try not to play certain strings in the Beginner and Intermediate versions, as they will negatively affect the overall sound of your chord.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
      • Only use the barre technique for the first finger, otherwise you’ll risk muting out other strings that you want to keep open.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be careful not to slide your fingers too hard and too fast with any chord, because you might burn them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play the F Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Play the C Major Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Play Guitar
      How to
      Play Guitar Chords
      How to
      Learn All the Notes on the Guitar
      How to
      Finger All Chords on Guitar
      How to
      Play Barre Chords on a Guitar
      How to
      Play an A Major Chord on the Guitar
      How to
      Play the D Chord for Guitar
      How to
      Write a Riff
      How to
      Read Chord Diagrams
      How to
      Solo over Chord Progressions
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      2. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      3. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      4. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      5. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      6. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
      7. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      8. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      9. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      1. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      2. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      3. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      4. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      5. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      6. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      7. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
      8. ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To play the B minor chord on the guitar, place your index finger on second fret pressing down the first E string, or the string closest to the floor. Put your middle finger on the second string from the bottom, the B string, at the third fret, and place your ring finger on the G string, or the third string from the bottom, at the fourth fret. Strum the bottom four strings to play the B minor chord. To learn how to play the B minor chord on 5 strings, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 461,271 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Marrissa M.

        Aug 24, 2016

        "When I saw the chord, I was like, what in the world, how do I get my fingers there? But this made it easy, it ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement