The Bm7 chord, or B minor 7, is a versatile and expressive chord that adds a touch of sophistication to your guitar playing. Building upon the foundation of the B minor chord, the Bm7 introduces a 7th note, lending it a unique, slightly jazzy, and soulful character. You’ll find this chord gracing the melodies of various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and R&B.
In this guide, we’ll explore the construction of the Bm7 chord and provide you with two essential ways to play it on your guitar. We’ll also highlight some popular songs that feature this chord, giving you practical examples of its application. Ready to enrich your chord vocabulary? Let’s dive in and master the Bm7!
Understanding the Bm7 Chord: Notes and Theory
The Bm7 chord is composed of four distinct notes:
- B (Root)
- D (Minor 3rd)
- F# (Perfect 5th)
- A (Minor 7th)
To understand how these notes create the Bm7 sound, let’s briefly touch upon chord theory. Minor chords are typically built with a root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth. Seventh chords, like the Bm7, expand upon this by adding a 7th interval. In the case of Bm7, it’s a minor 7th interval (A) added to the B minor chord. This minor 7th is what gives the Bm7 chord its characteristic flavor, distinguishing it from a simple B minor chord and creating a richer, more complex sound.
Essentially, playing B, D, F#, and A together on your guitar will produce the Bm7 chord.
Playing the Bm7 Chord: Open Position (Version 1)
Let’s start with the open position Bm7 chord, a common and useful voicing. “Open position” means we’ll utilize open strings in conjunction with fretted notes. This version is played in standard tuning and is a great starting point for beginners learning this chord.
To play the open position Bm7 chord, position your fingers as follows:
- Index finger: 2nd fret of the A string (5th string)
- Middle finger: 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string)
- Ring finger: 2nd fret of the high E string (1st string)
Strum downwards across five strings, from the A string (5th string) down to the high E string (1st string). Avoid strumming the low E string (6th string). This open position Bm7 can be a little challenging initially, as you need to ensure the open D string (4th string) and B string (2nd string) ring clearly. Focus on fretting the notes cleanly with the tips of your fingers, applying enough pressure to avoid buzzing, but not so much that you mute the adjacent open strings. Practice slowly and deliberately, and you’ll soon achieve a crisp and clear Bm7 chord in this position.
Playing the Bm7 Chord: 2nd Position (Version 2)
Another popular and movable way to play the Bm7 chord is in the 2nd position. In contrast to the open position, the 2nd position Bm7 is a barre chord, meaning we’ll use our index finger to barre across multiple strings. “2nd position” signifies that the lowest note of the chord will be played on the 2nd fret. This version is particularly useful for chord progressions and moving smoothly between chords up and down the neck.
To play the 2nd position Bm7 chord, follow these finger placements:
- Index finger: Barre across the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string), G string (3rd string), and high E string (1st string)
- Middle finger: 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string)
- Ring finger: 4th fret of the D string (4th string)
Strum five strings downwards, from the A string (5th string) to the high E string (1st string), again omitting the low E string (6th string). Barre chords can require some practice to master. Ensure your index finger is pressing down firmly across all the strings to get a clean sound from each note. Experiment with the angle of your index finger and the amount of pressure you apply to find what works best for you.
Songs Featuring the Bm7 Chord
The Bm7 chord’s distinctive, slightly melancholic yet uplifting tone makes it suitable for a wide range of musical styles. Let’s explore a couple of songs that beautifully showcase the Bm7 chord in different contexts:
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“Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry: This classic holiday tune, dating back to 1950, features a Bm7 chord in its bridge. Gene Autry, a country music icon, often incorporated “jangly” chords like the Bm7 into his music. In “Frosty the Snowman,” the Bm7 adds a touch of warmth and nostalgia to the festive melody.
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“Chrissie Hynde” by Butch Walker: Moving to a more contemporary example, this 2014 song is an ode to The Pretenders’ iconic lead singer. Butch Walker cleverly uses the open position Bm7 chord we learned earlier in the chorus. The Bm7 in “Chrissie Hynde” contributes to the song’s blend of nostalgia and yearning, highlighting the chord’s emotional depth.
Exploring songs that use the Bm7 chord is a fantastic way to understand its musical application and train your ear to recognize it.
Expand Your Chord Knowledge with Guitar Lessons
Mastering chords is fundamental to becoming a proficient guitarist. Chords not only reveal how notes harmonize to create unique sounds, but they are also the building blocks for learning to play songs and create your own music. To further expand your chord vocabulary and guitar skills, explore resources like [guitarplayers.net’s chord library](https://www.example.com/guitar-chords – placeholder URL, replace with actual URL when available).
Once you’re comfortable with the Bm7 chord, try incorporating it into your practice routines and experimenting with chord progressions. Learning new chords like the Bm7 unlocks new musical possibilities and allows you to explore a wider range of songs and styles. Happy playing!
