The B minor chord, often abbreviated as “Bm” in guitar tabs and sheet music, is a foundational chord that every guitarist should learn. Understanding how to play the Bm chord opens up a vast repertoire of songs and enhances your ability to play in various keys. This guide will walk you through why the Bm chord is essential, explore popular songs that feature it, and teach you different ways to play it, from beginner-friendly versions to the more common barre chord forms.
Why Mastering the Bm Chord is Crucial
The Bm chord is a cornerstone in guitar playing primarily because of its frequent appearance in chord progressions within the keys of D and G major. These keys are exceptionally common in guitar music across various genres. If you aim to play songs in these keys, knowing the Bm chord is not just helpful—it’s indispensable. Without it, you’ll find yourself locked out of playing countless songs and understanding fundamental harmonic structures.
Popular Songs Featuring the Bm Chord
The Bm chord isn’t confined to niche genres; it’s a widely used chord that spans across decades and styles. Its versatility makes it a staple in everything from hard rock anthems to gentle pop ballads. Learning the Bm chord means unlocking the ability to play a huge range of popular music.
Iconic Rock Tracks with Bm
Rock music history is filled with hits that utilize the B minor chord to create powerful and emotive sounds. For instance, you can hear the Bm chord driving the energy in Warrant’s classic glam metal anthem “Heaven”. Similarly, the poignant power ballad “Love Song” by Tesla also features the Bm chord prominently, contributing to its emotional depth.
Going further back, Elvis Presley’s energetic hit “Burning Love” also incorporates the Bm chord, showcasing its use in early rock and roll. Even punk-ska finds a place for the Bm, as heard in Rancid’s high-energy track “Time Bomb”.
Country Hits Utilizing the Bm Chord
Country music, with its rich storytelling and heartfelt melodies, also frequently employs the B minor chord. George Strait’s Grammy-nominated hit “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” is a prime example of a country classic using Bm. Another chart-topper, Willie Nelson’s timeless “Always on My Mind”, also leans heavily on this chord for its melancholic and reflective mood.
For a more contemporary country sound, listen to “Never Come Back Again” by Austin Plaine, where the Bm chord adds a modern touch to the genre.
Pop Anthems and Bm
Pop music, known for its catchy hooks and broad appeal, also finds the B minor chord to be a valuable tool. Rewind to the sunny beach vibes of The Beach Boys’ “California Girls” or the feel-good melodies of The Monkees’ “Daydream Believer” to hear classic pop examples featuring the Bm chord. Contemporary pop hits like “1,2,3,4” by Plain White T’s and the soulful “Another Love” by Tom Odell demonstrate the Bm chord’s continued relevance in modern popular music.
The Beginner-Friendly Version of the Bm Chord
For guitarists just starting out, the barre chord versions of Bm can seem daunting. Fortunately, there’s a simpler way to play Bm that doesn’t require barring across multiple frets. This beginner version is an excellent starting point to get the sound of the Bm chord under your fingers.
Here’s how to play the beginner Bm chord:
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string.
When strumming this version, make sure to strum only the three thinnest strings (G, B, and high E strings downwards). This three-finger version is perfect for beginners to start playing songs that use the Bm chord without the complexity of barre chords.
The Most Common Barre Chord Version of Bm
While the beginner version is useful, the most common way to play the Bm chord is as a barre chord. Unlike minor chords like Em or Am, the Bm barre chord doesn’t utilize any open strings. This means you’ll need to use your index finger to press down multiple strings at once, a technique known as barring.
This version of the Bm chord is typically played in the 2nd position on the guitar neck. If someone refers to the “Bm chord,” this barre chord version is generally what they mean. It’s a must-know for any guitarist looking to expand their chord vocabulary.
Here’s how to play the common barre chord Bm in the 2nd position:
- Barre your index finger across all strings from the A (5th) string to the high E (1st) string at the 2nd fret. Ensure all strings under your index finger are pressed down cleanly.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the D (4th) string.
Strum downwards from the A string, avoiding the low E string. If you’re familiar with the open Am chord shape, you’ll notice that this Bm barre chord uses the same shape, just moved up two frets on the neck.
Tip for Muting the Low E String: A common challenge when learning this barre chord is accidentally playing the low E string, which can muddy the sound. To avoid this, slightly angle your index finger so that the tip of your finger lightly touches the low E string, muting it. This allows you to strum confidently without unintentionally including the low E string in the chord.
Dealing with Barre Chord Buzzing: It’s normal to experience some buzzing when first learning barre chords. This usually indicates that not all strings are being pressed down firmly enough. Consistent practice will build your finger and wrist strength, and improve your technique, eventually eliminating the buzzing.
Alternative Barre Chord Version in the 7th Position
Having multiple ways to play a chord can be incredibly useful. Another barre chord version of Bm, played in the 7th position, offers a slightly different tonal color and can be physically easier to play for some guitarists.
Here’s how to play the Bm barre chord in the 7th position:
- Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret.
- Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the D (4th) string.
Strum all six strings downwards. The advantage of this 7th position barre chord is that the frets are closer together higher up the neck. This reduced spacing can make it require less finger pressure to fret all the strings cleanly, making it physically less demanding than the 2nd position barre chord, especially during longer playing sessions.
Conclusion
The B minor chord can initially present some challenges, particularly the barre chord versions. However, mastering it is an essential step in your guitar-playing journey. Whether your musical tastes lean towards pop, rock, folk, blues, or country, the Bm chord is a valuable and frequently used chord that will significantly expand your musical abilities. Dedicate time to practice these different versions of the Bm chord, and you’ll soon find it becoming a natural part of your playing.
To further enrich your guitar skills, explore more chords and techniques. Fender Play offers a comprehensive chord library and lessons to help you master various guitar chords and enhance your overall playing. Consider checking out their resources to continue your musical development.
