The B minor chord, often seen as “Bm” in guitar tabs and sheet music, is a cornerstone for guitarists. Understanding and playing the Bm chord opens up a vast repertoire of songs and is crucial for progressing your guitar skills. This guide will explain why the Bm chord is so important, how to play it in multiple ways, from beginner-friendly versions to standard barre chords, ensuring you can confidently incorporate “Bm On Guitar” into your playing.
Why is the Bm Chord Essential for Guitarists?
The Bm chord’s significance stems from its frequent appearance in common guitar keys, particularly D major and G major. If you’re playing songs in these keys, you’re highly likely to encounter a Bm chord. Mastering it unlocks countless chord progressions and expands the range of songs you can play. For any guitarist looking to move beyond basic chords, learning “bm on guitar” is an indispensable step.
Songs That Feature the Bm Chord
The Bm chord isn’t just theoretically important; it’s practically ubiquitous in popular music across genres. From timeless classics to modern hits, the Bm chord adds depth and emotion. You’ll find “bm on guitar” in rock anthems, heartfelt country ballads, and catchy pop tunes, demonstrating its versatility and widespread use.
Rock Anthems and Bm
Dive into rock history and you’ll hear the B minor chord resonating in iconic tracks. Consider the glam metal vibes of Warrant’s “Heaven” or the power ballad emotion of Tesla’s “Love Song”. Going further back, Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love” and the punk-ska energy of Rancid’s “Time Bomb” also prominently feature this chord.
Country Classics and Bm
Country music also embraces the B minor chord. George Strait’s Grammy-nominated hit “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and Willie Nelson’s unforgettable “Always on My Mind” both showcase the chord’s emotive quality. For a more contemporary example, listen to Austin Plaine’s “Never Come Back Again”.
Pop Sensations and Bm
Pop music, known for its catchy melodies and harmonic richness, frequently utilizes the Bm chord. From the Beach Boys’ sunny “California Girls” and The Monkees’ dreamy “Daydream Believer” to Plain White T’s’ catchy “1,2,3,4” and Tom Odell’s soulful “Another Love”, the B minor chord adds a touch of sophistication and depth to these pop favorites.
The Beginner-Friendly Bm Chord Version
Before tackling barre chords, let’s start with an easier version of “bm on guitar”. This simplified form avoids barring and is perfect for beginners getting to grips with the chord.
Here’s how to play the beginner Bm chord:
- Index Finger: Place on the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string.
- Middle Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
This image shows a beginner-friendly version of the Bm chord on guitar, using three fingers on the top three strings, ideal for learning guitar.
Strum only the top three strings (G, B, and high E strings) downwards. This version of “bm on guitar” is a great starting point, using just three fingers and focusing on a smaller part of the guitar neck.
The Standard Bm Barre Chord: A Must-Know
The most common way to play “bm on guitar” involves a barre chord. Unlike some minor chords like Em or Am that use open strings, the Bm barre chord requires barring across multiple strings with your index finger. This version is essential to learn as it’s the one most guitarists visualize when thinking about the B minor chord.
This shape will be familiar if you already know how to play the Am chord in the open position. It’s the same shape, just moved up two frets. The challenge lies in executing a clean barre and muting the low E string to ensure only the desired notes ring out.
Here’s how to play the standard Bm barre chord in the 2nd position:
- Index Finger: Barre across all strings from the A (5th) string to the high E (1st) string at the 2nd fret.
- Middle Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Pinky Finger: Place on the 4th fret of the D (4th) string.
This image illustrates the standard Bm barre chord on guitar, showing the index finger barring across the second fret and other fingers forming the minor shape.
Strum five strings down from the A string. Muting the low E string is key here. Achieve this by letting the tip of your index finger lightly touch the low E string, just enough to silence it when you strum. This ensures a clear Bm chord without the unwanted low E note. Practice is crucial to eliminate buzzing and build the finger and wrist strength needed for clean barre chords.
Alternative Bm Barre Chord: Higher Position
Having an alternative voicing of “bm on guitar” is beneficial for tonal variety and easier transitions in certain musical contexts. This barre chord version, played higher up the neck in the 7th position, offers a slightly different sound and can be physically easier to fret for some players due to the closer fret spacing higher up the neck.
Here’s how to play the alternative Bm barre chord in the 7th position:
- Index Finger: Barre across all strings from the low E (6th) string to the high E (1st) string at the 7th fret.
- Ring Finger: Place on the 9th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Pinky Finger: Place on the 9th fret of the D (4th) string.
This image shows an alternative Bm barre chord played higher up the guitar neck at the 7th fret, offering a different voicing and potentially easier fretting.
Strum all six strings. The tighter fret spacing at the 7th fret can make this version of “bm on guitar” physically less demanding to press down cleanly, especially for those still developing barre chord strength.
Conclusion: Embrace the Bm Chord
The B minor chord, or “bm on guitar”, might present initial challenges, particularly the barre chord versions. However, it’s an essential chord to master on your guitar journey. Regardless of your preferred genre—pop, rock, folk, blues, or country—dedicating time to learning and practicing the Bm chord will significantly enhance your playing and expand your musical horizons. Take your time, practice each version, and soon you’ll find the Bm chord becoming a natural and valuable part of your guitar vocabulary.
To further expand your chord knowledge, explore resources like Fender Play’s chord library for more chord types and tips to master them. And if you’re looking for structured guitar lessons, consider signing up for a free Fender Play trial to continue your musical development.
