The Bm7 Chord Guitar, or B minor 7th, is a beautifully textured chord that adds a touch of sophistication and a slightly melancholic yet uplifting vibe to your guitar playing. It’s a versatile chord found across genres, from pop and rock to jazz and blues, adding depth and color to countless songs. If you’re looking to expand your chord vocabulary and enrich your musical expression, mastering the Bm7 is a fantastic step.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the essence of the Bm7 chord, exploring its construction, finger positions, and practical applications. You’ll learn two essential ways to play the Bm7 chord on your guitar, understand the theory behind it, and discover songs that feature this captivating chord. Ready to add this expressive chord to your repertoire? Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Bm7 Chord: Building Blocks and Musicality
The Bm7 chord isn’t just a random collection of notes; it’s built upon a specific formula that creates its distinctive sound. To truly grasp the Bm7, let’s break down its construction:
- Root: B
- Minor Third: D
- Perfect Fifth: F#
- Minor Seventh: A
These four notes, when played together, create the Bm7 chord. It takes the foundation of a standard B minor chord (B, D, F#) and adds the minor 7th (A) to create a richer, more complex harmonic texture. This added 7th is what distinguishes the Bm7 from a simple B minor chord, giving it that unique “kick” and a more melodic quality.
Think of the B minor chord as sounding somewhat somber or introspective. The Bm7 retains some of this minor feel but adds a layer of smoothness and sophistication, making it sound less stark and more harmonically interesting. It’s a chord that can evoke feelings of longing, reflection, or even a gentle kind of happiness, depending on the musical context.
Essentially, playing a bm7 chord on guitar involves harmonizing these four notes: B, D, F#, and A. Let’s explore two practical ways to achieve this on the fretboard.
Open Position Bm7 Chord (Version 1)
The first version of the bm7 chord guitar we’ll learn is in the open position. “Open position” chords utilize open strings, meaning some strings ring out without being fretted. This often creates a resonant and full sound, and this Bm7 open position is no exception.
Here’s how to form the open position Bm7 chord:
- Index Finger: Place on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Middle Finger: Place on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring Finger: Place on the 2nd fret of the high E string (1st string).
Ensure your fingers are just behind the fret, pressing down firmly enough to get a clear sound without buzzing. You should be using the tips of your fingers to avoid muting adjacent strings.
Strum down five strings, from the A string (5th string) downwards, avoiding the low E string (6th string). The D string (4th string) and B string (2nd string) should ring openly. This can be a slightly fiddly chord to master initially, as you need to ensure you are fretting the notes cleanly without muting the open strings. Practice slowly and deliberately, focusing on a crisp, clear sound. With a bit of patience, you’ll find this open bm7 chord guitar voicing to be quite rewarding.
2nd Position Bm7 Chord (Version 2)
The second way to play the bm7 chord guitar is in 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 incredibly useful as they are movable shapes, allowing you to play the same chord shape in different positions on the neck to create different chords.
Here’s how to play the 2nd position Bm7 chord:
- Index Finger: Barre across the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string), G string (3rd string), and high E string (1st string). Essentially, you’re pressing down all strings from the A string to the high E string at the 2nd fret with your index finger.
- Middle Finger: Place on the 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Ring Finger: Place on the 4th fret of the D string (4th string).
Strum five strings down from the A string (5th string), again omitting the low E string (6th string). Barre chords can initially be challenging for beginners, requiring finger strength and accuracy. Ensure your index finger is pressing down evenly across the strings to avoid buzzing. Practice barring effectively to get a clean and strong sound from this 2nd position bm7 chord guitar voicing. This shape is particularly useful as it is movable – you can move this same shape up and down the neck to create other minor 7th chords.
Songs Featuring the Bm7 Chord: Hear It in Action
The bm7 chord guitar is a versatile chord used in a wide array of musical styles. Hearing it in context can help you appreciate its character and inspire you to use it in your own playing.
Here are a few examples of songs that feature the Bm7 chord:
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“Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry: This classic holiday tune uses a Bm7 chord in the bridge, showcasing its slightly brighter, “jangly” quality within a traditional song structure. It adds a touch of warmth and cheerfulness to the festive melody.
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“Chrissie Hynde” by Butch Walker: This more contemporary song utilizes the open position Bm7 chord in the chorus. Here, the Bm7 contributes to a nostalgic and slightly melancholic feel, fitting the song’s theme of longing and reminiscence.
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“Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson: While the original version is often played with keyboard chords, many guitar arrangements of “Smooth Criminal” incorporate a Bm7 chord, particularly in chord progressions during the verses. It adds a sophisticated, jazzy touch to the iconic song.
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“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen: This rock and roll classic features a Bm7 chord within its energetic chord progression. In this context, the Bm7 adds a bluesy and slightly edgy flavor to the upbeat rhythm.
These diverse examples demonstrate the versatility of the bm7 chord guitar. From holiday classics to modern pop-rock, the Bm7 can enhance various musical styles, adding depth, color, and emotional nuance.
Incorporating the Bm7 Chord into Your Guitar Playing
Mastering the bm7 chord guitar opens up new musical possibilities. Experiment with using it in your songwriting, improvisations, and when learning new songs. Try substituting a Bm7 for a standard B minor chord in chord progressions to add a richer harmonic texture.
Practice transitioning smoothly between the Bm7 chord and other common chords you know. This will improve your chord changes and allow you to incorporate the Bm7 fluidly into your playing. Both the open position and 2nd position Bm7 offer unique sonic qualities, so experiment with both to see which voicing best suits different musical situations.
As you continue your guitar journey, exploring chords like the Bm7 will significantly expand your musical palette. Embrace the subtle beauty and versatility of the bm7 chord guitar, and you’ll find it becoming a valuable tool in your musical expression. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and enjoy the journey of musical discovery!
