Download Article
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] X Research source 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.
Steps
-
Place your first finger. To start this simple version of the Bm chord, put your pointer finger on the first E string at the second fret. [2] X Research source
-
Place your second finger. Next, put your middle finger on the second B string at the third fret. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Place your third finger. Finally, put your ring finger on the third G string at the fourth fret. [4] X Research source
-
Leave the fourth D string open. [5] X Research source
-
Strum the chord. 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] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Barre your first finger. A “barre” is when you use the same fingering across more than one string. [7] X Research source
- 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 TIPProfessional GuitaristCarlos 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.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.
-
Place your second finger. Just as the previous method, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret. [8] X Research source
-
Place your third finger. This is different from the previous method in that you put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. [9] X Research source
-
Place your fourth finger. 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] X Research source
-
Strum the chord. 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] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Barre your first finger. This time, extend your first finger across all six strings. [12] X Research source
- 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.
-
Place your second finger. Just as the previous methods, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret. [13] X Research source
-
Place your third finger. Similar to intermediate method, put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. [14] X Research source
-
Place your fourth finger. Finally, put your fourth finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger. [15] X Research source
-
Strum the chord. For this full version, you’re going to play all six strings, so go ahead and strum all the way through. [16] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionIsn't the simplest guitar chord Em or A7?Community AnswerEm7 is the simplest chord, it's 1 finger on second fret of the fifth string.
-
QuestionWhat are ways to play F?George MalenCommunity AnswerYou 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.
-
QuestionShould I use a pick?Community AnswerIt's a matter of personal preference whether or not you use a pick.
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] X Research sourceThanks
- Try not to play certain strings in the Beginner and Intermediate versions, as they will negatively affect the overall sound of your chord.Thanks
- Only use the barre technique for the first finger, otherwise you’ll risk muting out other strings that you want to keep open.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
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
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ https://tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord/
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
- ↑ 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?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 460,883 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "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 showed me exactly where I needed them, and I had choices which is amazing. Now i can play All About the Bass on the guitar. Thank you." ..." more
Advertisement
85%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"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 showed me exactly where I needed them, and I had choices which is amazing. Now i can play All About the Bass on the guitar. Thank you."
..."
more
"I have found the Bm chord very difficult for me to play. This article has helped me, and I have now mastered the Bm chord. Thank you."
..."
more
"It explained very simply and correctly how to play the barre chord, unlike many sites that complicate the issue. Thanks for the info."
..."
more
"I am a new student of guitar, so want to know more about guitar. Thanks a lot for publishing your article."
"The illustration is worth dying for, this thing helped me learn the advanced one perfectly."
