Learning guitar chords can be exciting, and the Bb guitar chord is a must-know for any aspiring guitarist. If you’re just starting, barre chords like Bb might seem daunting. But don’t worry! This lesson will guide you through the easiest ways to play the Bb guitar chord, perfect for beginners.
In this easy guitar lesson, you will discover:
- Multiple super-easy methods to play the Bb guitar chord.
- Essential tips for fast chord learning.
- Simple tricks to enhance your guitar playing skills.
Understanding the Standard Bb Guitar Chord
Before diving into the simplified versions, let’s look at the standard Bb major chord shapes. These are foundational and good to know as you progress.
Bb Guitar Chord Root On The E String
This is a common way to play the Bb chord, with its root note on the low E string (6th string).
Here’s the chord diagram:
X: x
1: o
2: 2
3: 3
4: 3
5: 1
6: 1To play this Bb chord version:
- Use your 1st finger to barre across the 6th fret of the low E string.
(Barre chords require practice, so if it’s challenging initially, don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing!)
- Place your 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the A string (5th string).
- Place your 4th finger on the 8th fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Strum all six strings.
Bb Guitar Chord Root On The A String
Here’s another standard Bb major barre chord shape, this time with the root on the A string.
Here’s the chord diagram:
X: x
1: 1
2: 3
3: 3
4: 3
5: 1
6: xTo play this version:
- Barre your 1st finger across the 1st fret from the A string (5th string) to the high E string (1st string).
- Place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Place your 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Strum from the A string (5th string) down to the high E string (1st string).
Bb Guitar Chord
Easy Ways To Play The Bb Guitar Chord
Now, let’s get to the easy Bb guitar chord variations. These are simplified versions that are much easier for beginners to grasp.
1) 2-Finger Bb Guitar Chord
This 2-finger Bb chord is incredibly simple and perfect for absolute beginners.
Here’s the chord diagram:
X: x
1: x
2: x
3: x
4: 1
5: 1
6: 1To play this easy Bb chord:
- Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the low E string (6th string).
- Place your 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the A string (5th string).
- Strum the E (6th string), A (5th string), and D strings (4th string) together.
Don’t worry about hitting only these strings perfectly at first. Focus on getting the two fingers in the correct position and strumming a clean sound.
Want to learn how to strum only specific strings? Check out this guide: How To Skip Strings While Strumming
2) 3-Finger Bb Guitar Chord
This 3-finger Bb guitar chord is another excellent option for beginners. It’s slightly more involved than the 2-finger version but still much easier than standard barre chords.
Here’s the chord diagram:
X: 1
1: 1
2: 3
3: 3
4: x
5: x
6: xTo play this Bb chord:
- Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Place your 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the high E string (1st string).
- Strum from the D string (4th string) down to the high E string (1st string).
Bb Guitar Chord
3) The A Shape Bb Guitar Chord
This easy Bb guitar chord uses the familiar shape of the A major chord. If you already know the A major chord, this Bb version will be a breeze!
Let’s compare the A chord shape:
(A chord diagram would typically be shown here, but the focus is Bb, so assuming the reader knows A or can easily look it up).
To play the Bb chord using the A shape, simply move the A chord shape up to the 3rd fret.
Here’s the Bb guitar chord diagram in the A shape:
X: x
1: 3
2: 3
3: 3
4: 3
5: x
6: xTo play this A shape Bb chord:
- Place your 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Strum from the D string (4th string) down to the high E string (1st string).
Bb Guitar Chord A Shape
Did you know? Playing guitar is not only fun but also beneficial for your brain! Guitar World has an interesting article on the scientific benefits of playing guitar: 10 Scientifically Proven Reasons You Should Play Guitar
Tips for Remembering Guitar Chords
Struggling to memorize chords? Here’s a simple yet effective tip to help you remember guitar chords faster:
- After playing a chord correctly, squeeze your fretting hand five times.
This technique helps solidify the muscle memory for the chord shape. Ensure you’re playing the chord correctly before squeezing; otherwise, you might memorize an incorrect shape!
Why Beginner Guitar Chords Matter
Beginner guitar chords are the building blocks of almost all music. Knowing chords is essential for playing songs and understanding music theory. Learning easy guitar chords is a great way to develop your musicality and start playing your favorite tunes quickly.
Want to explore more easy chords? Check out this lesson: 14 Easy Guitar Chords For Beginners
Ready to play some songs using these chords? Find a collection of easy songs here: 10 Easy Songs On Guitar
Conclusion
The Bb guitar chord doesn’t have to be intimidating. By starting with these easy versions, you can begin incorporating this essential chord into your playing right away. Practice these simplified Bb chords, and as your hand strength and dexterity improve, you can gradually move towards the standard barre chord shapes. Keep practicing, and you’ll be playing the Bb chord like a pro in no time!
bb-guitar-chord
