The B minor (Bm) guitar chord is notorious for being a stumbling block for many beginner guitarists. Its standard form requires a barre, which can be quite challenging when you’re just starting your guitar journey. If you’ve been struggling with this chord, you’re definitely not alone! That’s why this lesson is dedicated to showing you the easiest ways to play a Bm chord on your guitar.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- The correct way to play the standard Bm guitar chord (so you know what you’re aiming for).
- Beginner-friendly Bm chord variations that are much easier to fret.
- A super simple 2-finger Bm chord – perfect for absolute beginners.
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The Challenge of the Standard Bm Guitar Chord
So, what makes the B minor guitar chord so difficult? The answer is the barre. A barre (or bar) chord requires you to use your index finger to press down multiple strings at once.
The standard Bm chord shape looks like this:
Bm Chord (Standard Barre)
[Original Image: Bm chordbox image]
Standard Bm guitar chord diagram for barre chord. This image shows the full B minor chord shape, which is challenging for beginner guitarists because it requires barring multiple strings.
(If chord diagrams are new to you, check out our guide: “How To Read Guitar Chordboxes In 60 Seconds”. It will quickly make everything clear!)
As you can see, this Bm chord is quite demanding. It typically requires an intermediate level of guitar skill to play it smoothly, quickly, and consistently.
Quick Tip: Before tackling any guitar chords, especially barre chords, ensure your guitar is properly tuned. A great tool is the Snark ST-8 tuner. It easily clips onto your guitar’s headstock and uses vibration to provide accurate tuning.
For beginner guitarists, we need easier alternatives. Let’s explore some beginner-friendly Bm chord options.
Easier Bm Chord Versions for Guitar Beginners
One commonly suggested “beginner Bm” chord is the ‘no barre’ version. It aims to simplify the standard barre chord.
Bm Chord (No Barre Version)
[Original Image: Bm (no barre) chordbox image]
Bm guitar chord diagram no barre for easier playing. This image depicts a simplified B minor chord that avoids the barre, but still requires finger dexterity and strength for beginner guitarists.
While this version of Bm is indeed easier than the full barre chord, I’ve found that many beginners still struggle with it. Students often find this chord shape a bit awkward and still challenging to fret cleanly. That’s why I often recommend an even simpler version of the Bm chord.
My Go-To Easy Bm Guitar Chord: Bm7
My favorite easy Bm chord variation is the Bm7 (B minor seventh). It’s closely related to the Bm chord, sounds fantastic, and is significantly easier to play than the standard B minor.
Bm7 Chord
[Original Image: Bm7 chordbox image – assume it’s similar to Bm (no barre) but labelled Bm7, if not available, reuse Bm (no barre) and mention it is similar shape]
Bm guitar chord diagram no barre for easier playing. This image depicts a simplified B minor chord that avoids the barre, but still requires finger dexterity and strength for beginner guitarists.
The Bm7 chord still requires three fingers, which can be a bit fiddly at first. However, it’s easier to memorize and play because all the fingers are positioned on the same fret. In my experience, most beginner guitarists can learn to play this chord accurately and consistently within a few weeks of practice.
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The Super-Simple 2-Finger Bm Guitar Chord
For the absolute beginner, or if you’re finding even the Bm7 a bit tricky, there’s an even easier version of Bm: the 2-finger Bm chord.
Bm Chord (2-Finger Version)
[Original Image: B minor guitar chord (2-finger version) chordbox image]
Two finger B minor guitar chord diagram for very easy guitar playing. This image shows the most simplified Bm chord version, using only two fingers, making it exceptionally easy for absolute beginners to learn and play.
This 2-finger Bm doesn’t sound exactly like a full Bm7 or standard Bm (it’s less harmonically rich), but it still contains the crucial B root note. Crucially, it is much, much easier to play than a standard Bm chord, making it a great starting point.
Choosing the Best Easy Bm Version
No matter which of these easier Bm chord versions you choose, there’s one crucial thing to remember:
IMPORTANT: Avoid Playing the 6th String!
Regardless of whether you play the ‘no barre’ Bm, Bm7, or the 2-finger Bm, it’s vital that you avoid playing the 6th string (the thickest string) when strumming. (If you’re unsure about string numbers, check out our guide: “String numbers are explained here”).
The fundamental note of a clean Bm guitar chord is the B note on the 5th string (played by your index finger in the 2-finger Bm shape). Strumming the 6th string can muddy the sound of these simplified Bm chords.
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Standard Bm guitar chord diagram for barre chord. This image shows the full B minor chord shape, which is challenging for beginner guitarists because it requires barring multiple strings.
Is Avoiding the 6th String Too Difficult?
You might be thinking, “Skipping a string while strumming sounds really hard!” It’s true, it takes practice. Initially, you might find it challenging to consistently avoid the 6th string. That’s perfectly normal!
Don’t get too hung up on perfecting string skipping right away. It’s more important to simply strum the chord and keep practicing. Avoid spending too much time trying to position your pick perfectly before each strum. The most important thing is to keep strumming!
Check out our free lesson: “How To Skip Strings While Strumming” for more tips.
With repetition, your accuracy will improve quickly, and you’ll be able to strum without hitting the 6th string more consistently. However, if you delay practicing because you’re trying to achieve perfection from the start, you’ll fall into “analysis paralysis” and slow down your learning. Don’t make that mistake! 🙂
‘Shouldn’t I Just Learn the Standard Bm Chord from the Start?’
I often hear from determined beginners who want to tackle the standard Bm barre chord right away. I admire the ambition!
However, think of it this way: Ultimately, yes, we want you to be able to play a full Bm barre chord cleanly, including skipping the 6th string. But that’s a long-term goal. It’s a difficult technique that is simply beyond the reach of most beginners initially.
Trying to master the full barre Bm too early can actually hinder your progress and make learning guitar more frustrating. Trust me, from my experience teaching countless students, starting with easier versions is far more effective in the short term.
In the beginning, the key is to dive in and strum as much as possible. Our first goal is to get you comfortable holding your guitar and strumming chords. As you develop your hand strength and coordination, refining chords like Bm (and other barre chords) will become significantly easier.
Are There Other Bm Guitar Chord Variations?
Yes, there are many other ways to play a Bm chord up the guitar neck. However, most of these are even more complex than the standard barre chord and definitely not suitable for beginners. Let’s focus on mastering these easy versions first! 🙂
If you’re still finding the easy Bm chords challenging, stick with the super-easy 2-finger Bm shape and keep practicing. You’ll get it with a bit of time and persistence. Who knows, maybe one day your guitar skills will be as valuable as a worth $657,000!
