The Bb major chord, often written as B flat, is a foundational chord for guitarists across genres. While it might present a slight challenge for beginners due to its common barre chord shapes, mastering the Bb chord unlocks a vast repertoire of songs and expands your musical vocabulary. This guide will walk you through the essential ways to play the Bb chord on guitar, from standard barre shapes to easier alternatives, and explore popular songs that feature this versatile chord.
Songs That Feature the Bb Chord
The Bb chord’s rich and warm sound makes it a favorite in diverse musical styles. Recognizing songs that use the Bb chord not only helps you practice but also appreciate its musical context.
Bb Chord in Pop Music
Pop music is replete with examples of the Bb chord adding harmonic color. In classic pop, you can hear the Bb chord in The Beach Boys’ iconic hit, “Good Vibrations”. Its uplifting progression benefits from the Bb’s major tonality. Similarly, The O’Jays’ soulful track “Now That We Found Love” incorporates the Bb chord to enhance its emotional depth.
Moving into the 1980s new wave era, Crowded House’s melodic “Don’t Dream It’s Over” showcases the Bb chord within a more contemporary pop setting. Acoustic rock also embraces the Bb chord, as heard in Toad the Wet Sprocket’s popular song “All I Want”. These examples demonstrate the Bb chord’s adaptability within the pop genre.
Bb Chord in Rock Anthems
Rock music, from its bluesy roots to heavier sounds, frequently employs the Bb chord for its powerful and resonant quality. Classic rock staples are full of Bb. The Yardbirds’ “Heart Full of Soul” uses the Bb chord in a memorable riff, while Cream’s psychedelic masterpiece “White Room” utilizes Bb to create its dramatic and expansive soundscapes.
Heart’s rock anthem “Magic Man” features the Bb chord in its dynamic progression, and even heavy metal finds a place for Bb. Dio’s “Holy Diver” incorporates the Bb chord into its iconic, driving rhythm. These rock examples highlight the Bb chord’s versatility in adding both melodic and rhythmic interest to the genre.
Playing the Standard Bb Chord Shapes
For many guitarists, learning barre chords is a significant milestone. The most common ways to play the Bb major chord involve barre chords. While they might seem daunting initially, mastering these shapes is crucial for expanding your chord vocabulary and playing a wider range of songs. Let’s explore the two primary barre chord shapes for Bb.
Bb Chord in the 6th Position (E Shape Barre)
This Bb chord shape is based on the E major open chord shape, but moved up the fretboard and barred. It’s played in the 6th position, meaning the root note (Bb) is on the 6th fret of the low E string. Here’s how to form it:
- Index Finger: Barre across all six strings at the 6th fret. Ensure you apply even pressure across all strings to get a clean sound from each note.
- Middle Finger: Place on the 7th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 8th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Pinky Finger: Place on the 8th fret of the D (4th) string.
Strum all six strings from the low E string downwards. This voicing of the Bb chord is full and resonant, commonly used in rock and pop music for its powerful sound. Practicing transitioning to and from this chord shape will greatly improve your barre chord technique.
Bb Chord in the 1st Position (A Shape Barre)
The second common barre chord shape for Bb is based on the A major open chord shape and is played in the 1st position. This means the root note (Bb) is located on the 1st fret of the A string. This shape can be more challenging initially due to the proximity to the guitar’s nut, requiring more finger pressure.
- Index Finger: Barre across the A (5th), high E (1st), and B (2nd) strings at the 1st fret. Focus on clearly fretting these strings to avoid buzzing.
- Ring Finger: Barre across the D (4th), G (3rd), and B (2nd) strings at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, you can use your ring, middle, and pinky fingers to fret the 3rd fret of the D, G, and B strings respectively, which some find more comfortable.
Strum the four strings from the A string downwards. This shape is often used in genres like folk and blues, providing a slightly different tonal color compared to the E shape barre. If you find the full barre challenging at first, you can simplify it to a Bb5 chord by playing just the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings of this shape, using your index, ring, and pinky fingers. This omits the major third, creating a power chord that still functions effectively in many musical contexts.
Easier Alternatives to the Bb Chord
If barre chords are still proving difficult, or if you need a simpler voicing for certain musical situations, there are easier alternatives to playing the Bb chord. These versions sacrifice the full sound of the barre chords but provide a workable Bb chord with less physical demand.
Four-String Bb Chord (Simplified A Shape)
This simplified version of the A shape barre chord removes the full barre, making it significantly easier to fret, particularly for beginners.
- Index Finger: Place on the 1st fret of the high E (1st) string.
- Middle Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the D (4th) string.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Pinky Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Strum the four strings downwards from the D string. This voicing is lighter and brighter than the barre chords, suitable for situations where a less dense sound is desired. It eliminates the barre and reduces the stretch compared to the full A shape, making it a more accessible option.
Three-Finger Bb Chord (Easiest Version)
For the most simplified Bb chord voicing, this three-finger version is the easiest to play and a great starting point for beginners.
- Index Finger: Place on the 1st fret of the high E (1st) string.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Pinky Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
Strum the three strings downwards from the G string. This version is the simplest to finger and requires minimal hand strength. While it’s the least full-sounding of the Bb chord variations, it serves as an excellent stepping stone to learning the more complete shapes and allows you to play songs featuring Bb early in your guitar journey.
Conclusion: Embrace the Bb Chord Challenge
Learning the Bb guitar chord, especially the barre chord shapes, is a significant step in your guitar playing development. It’s normal to encounter challenges with barre chords initially, but consistent practice and persistence will pay off. Mastering the Bb chord opens up a wider range of musical possibilities and allows you to play countless songs across various genres.
Embrace the process of learning and take pride in your progress. With the Bb chord and barre chords in your toolkit, you’ll unlock new musical avenues and expand your guitar playing capabilities. Explore Fender Play’s extensive chord library for more chords and lessons to continue your musical journey and consider signing up for a free trial to access a wealth of guitar learning resources.
