The B minor 7 chord (Bm7) is a gateway to a world of rich, evocative sounds on the guitar. Adding a subtle yet powerful flavor to your playing, the Bm7 takes the foundational B minor chord and infuses it with a unique, slightly jazzy, and introspective quality. You’ve likely heard its distinctive voice in countless genres, from rock and pop ballads to soulful blues and beyond.
In this lesson, we’ll guide you through two essential ways to play the Bm7 chord on your guitar. We’ll break down the theory behind its construction, provide clear finger placement diagrams, and even point you towards some iconic songs that showcase the Bm7’s versatility. Ready to expand your chord vocabulary and add a touch of sophistication to your guitar playing? Let’s dive in.
Understanding the Bm7 Chord: Building Blocks and Musicality
Before we place our fingers on the fretboard, let’s briefly explore what makes the Bm7 chord tick. Chords are built from musical formulas, and the Bm7 is no exception. It starts with the B minor chord as its foundation, then adds an extra note to create its signature sound.
The Bm7 chord is composed of four notes:
- Root: B
- Minor Third: D
- Perfect Fifth: F#
- Minor Seventh: A
While major and minor chords follow simpler formulas, seventh chords like the Bm7 introduce an additional layer of harmonic complexity. Specifically, the “7th” in Bm7 refers to the minor seventh interval added to the basic minor triad. This minor seventh (the note A in this case) is what gives the Bm7 its characteristic “melancholy” or “jazzy” flavor, distinguishing it from the simpler, and arguably sadder, B minor chord.
In musical terms, the Bm7 chord formula is: Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and minor 7th. Play these notes (B, D, F#, A) together, and you’ll hear the distinct sound of the Bm7 chord emerge.
Two Essential Ways to Play the Bm7 Chord on Guitar
Now that you have a grasp of the theory, let’s get practical and explore two effective ways to play the Bm7 chord on your guitar. We’ll start with an open position voicing, perfect for beginners and for achieving a bright, ringing tone.
Bm7 Chord in Open Position (Version 1)
The first version of the Bm7 chord we’ll learn is played in the open position. “Open position” means we incorporate open strings into the chord, allowing certain strings to ring freely without being fretted. This voicing of Bm7 is accessible to players of all levels and provides a full, resonant sound.
Here’s how to form the open position Bm7 chord:
- Index Finger: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string (1st string).
Strumming: Strum down 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) for this voicing.
Tips for Clarity: This open position Bm7 can be a little tricky initially. The key is to ensure your fingers are fretting the notes cleanly without accidentally muting the adjacent open D (4th) and B (2nd) strings. Take your time, practice slowly, and focus on achieving a crisp, clear sound from each string.
Bm7 Chord in 2nd Position (Barre Chord Version 2)
Our second Bm7 chord voicing moves up the neck to the 2nd position. This version is a barre chord, meaning your index finger will “barre” across multiple strings at the same fret. Barre chords are essential for guitarists as they unlock chord voicings all over the neck.
The 2nd position Bm7 is a movable chord shape, meaning you can shift this same shape up and down the neck to play other minor 7th chords.
Here’s how to play the 2nd position Bm7 chord:
- Index Finger: Barre your index finger across the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string), G string (3rd string), and high E string (1st string). Ensure all three strings are clearly fretted by your index finger barre.
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the D string (4th string).
Strumming: Strum down across five strings, from the A string (5th string) down to the high E string (1st string), again omitting the low E string.
Barre Chord Technique: Barre chords can require some practice to master. Ensure your index finger is applying even pressure across all the strings it’s barring. Start slowly, and gradually increase your speed and accuracy. This 2nd position Bm7 offers a slightly different tonal color compared to the open position and is incredibly useful for playing in different musical contexts.
Songs That Showcase the Beauty of the Bm7 Chord
The Bm7 chord’s versatile and emotive nature has made it a favorite among songwriters across various genres. Here are a few examples of songs where you can hear the Bm7 chord in action and try playing along yourself:
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“Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry: This holiday classic, while seemingly simple, incorporates a Bm7 chord in its bridge, adding a touch of warmth and sophistication to the melody. It’s a great example of how even seemingly basic songs can utilize richer chords like the Bm7.
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“Chrissie Hynde” by Butch Walker: This more contemporary track beautifully features the open position Bm7 chord in its chorus. The song’s nostalgic and heartfelt feel is perfectly complemented by the Bm7, showcasing its ability to evoke emotion.
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“Smooth” by Santana ft. Rob Thomas: While the chord progression is more complex, “Smooth” utilizes the Bm7 chord as part of its jazzy and Latin-infused harmonic landscape. Listen closely to the chord changes, and you’ll hear how the Bm7 contributes to the song’s sophisticated vibe.
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“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen: This rock and roll classic features a Bm7 chord in its intro and verses. It demonstrates how the Bm7 can even find a place in upbeat and energetic songs, adding a touch of bluesy coolness.
Exploring these songs will not only help you recognize the sound of the Bm7 chord in real musical contexts but also provide you with fun practice material.
Expand Your Chord Knowledge with Fender Play
Mastering chords is fundamental to becoming a proficient guitarist. The Bm7 is just one of many essential chords to learn. By understanding how chords are constructed and learning different voicings, you’ll unlock a world of musical possibilities.
To further expand your chord vocabulary and learn to play your favorite songs, explore Fender Play’s comprehensive guitar lesson platform. You’ll find a vast library of chord lessons, song tutorials, and much more. Start your free trial of Fender Play today and embark on your musical journey!
