Unlock the Bb Chord on Guitar: Beginner-Friendly Guide
Are you ready to master the Bb guitar chord? You’ve landed in the perfect spot!
In this straightforward guitar lesson, you’ll discover:
- 3 incredibly easy methods to play the Bb guitar chord.
- The #1 secret to fast chord learning.
- 3 essential tips and tricks to elevate your guitar skills.
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Understanding the Standard Bb Guitar Chord
Before diving into the easy versions, let’s look at the common Bb major chord shapes.
Bb Guitar Chord with Root on the E String
This is the classic Bb guitar chord, with its root note on the low E string (6th string).
Here’s the chord diagram:
To play this shape:
- Place your 1st finger on the 6th fret of the low E string (6th string).
(This can be challenging as it requires a barre! Give it a try, but don’t worry if it’s tough. Barre chords take practice.)
- 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 strings.
Quick Guitar Theory Tip!
If a chord name doesn’t include ‘minor’, it’s a major chord. So, today we’re tackling the ‘Bb major chord’.
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Bb Guitar Chord with Root on the A String
Here’s another Bb major barre chord, this time with the root on the A string.
Chord diagram:
Bb Guitar Chord Root On A String
To 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).
3 Easy Bb Guitar Chord Variations
Let’s explore 3 super-simple ways to play the Bb guitar chord, perfect for beginners.
For guidance on barre chords, check out video tutorials online. They can be incredibly helpful.
Let’s get started with these easier versions.
1) Two-Finger Bb Guitar Chord
This version is ideal for beginners because it only uses two fingers.
Chord diagram:
To play this two-finger 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 string (4th string) together.
Don’t worry too much about perfect strumming yet; focus on getting the chord shape right.
Want to learn string skipping while strumming? Learn how to skip strings here
2) Three-Finger Bb Guitar Chord
This variation is also beginner-friendly, using just three fingers.
It might feel a bit cramped at first, but once you master it, you’ll be playing Bb chords with ease.
Chord diagram:
Bb Guitar Chord 3 Finger Version
To play this three-finger Bb guitar 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).
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3) The A Shape Bb Guitar Chord
This Bb guitar chord uses the same shape as the familiar ‘A major chord’.
Let’s compare. Here’s the A chord:
If you already know the standard A major chord, simply move that shape up to the 3rd fret.
Here’s the Bb guitar chord in the A shape:
Bb Guitar Chord A Shape on Guitar
To play this 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).
Did you know? Learning guitar is scientifically proven to be good for you! Read more at Guitar World: 10 Scientifically Proven Reasons You Should Play Guitar
Don’t Skip the Basics! Easy Chords First
If you’re a beginner, learning guitar is fastest when you start with the EASIEST chords. Jumping straight to advanced chords can slow your progress.
It’s much more effective to learn easy chords first and gradually move to more complex ones. This approach prepares you step-by-step for your guitar journey.
When starting out, playing MUSIC is more important than mastering difficult chords. Do yourself a favor and learn some simple songs.
Find easy songs to play here: 10 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners
Memory Trick for Guitar Chords
Here’s a quick tip to help you memorize guitar chords rapidly:
- After playing a chord correctly, squeeze your fretting hand 5 times.
This technique helps solidify the chord in your muscle memory. But make sure you play the chord correctly before squeezing. Practicing incorrectly will train your hand to remember the wrong shape.
What About Other Guitar Chords?
To become a skilled guitarist, you’ll need to know a variety of chords.
Here’s a list of essential chords for your repertoire.
Learn these essential chords here: 14 Easy Guitar Chords For Beginners
Why Beginner Guitar Chords Matter
Guitar chords are the building blocks of almost all music.
Knowing guitar chords is essential for playing songs! Learning chords also significantly enhances your musicality.
Want to play easy songs and boost your musicality? Check out these FREE lessons:
Explore More Bb Chords
Alternative Bb Guitar Chord Shape
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