The B minor (Bm) chord. For many guitar students, just the mention of it can induce a groan! It’s notorious for being tricky, and if you’ve been struggling with it, you’re definitely not alone. That’s why we’ve put together this essential guide, dedicated to making the Bm chord accessible to guitarists of all levels, especially beginners.
In this lesson, you’ll discover:
- The correct way to play the standard Bm guitar chord (and why it’s challenging).
- The best “easy Bm chord” alternatives perfect for beginner guitarists.
- A super simple, 2-finger Bm chord version that will get you playing Bm today.
Join over 100,000 guitarists and get world-class guitar tips and tutorials delivered directly to your inbox. Click here to join!
Why is the Standard Bm Chord So Difficult?
The standard Bm chord on guitar is tough because it’s a barre chord. “Barre” (or “barring”) means using your index finger to press down multiple strings at once. This requires finger strength and dexterity that beginners often haven’t yet developed.
The typical Bm chord shape looks like this:
Bm Chord (Standard Barre)
(If the chord diagram above looks confusing, check out our guide: “How To Read Guitar Chordboxes In 60 Seconds”. It will clear everything up!)
Bm barre chord diagram
As you can see, this is quite an advanced chord. It demands a good level of finger strength and coordination to play cleanly and quickly. While it’s a fantastic chord to master eventually, it’s often too frustrating for beginners to start with.
Quick Tip: Before tackling any guitar chords, especially barre chords, make sure your guitar is in tune! A reliable tuner is essential. We recommend the Snark ST-8 clip-on tuner. It’s accurate, easy to use, and perfect for beginners.
Find it on Sweetwater
Get it on Amazon.co.uk
For beginner guitarists, we need easier ways to play the Bm chord. Let’s explore some excellent alternatives.
Easier Versions of the Bm Chord for Guitar Beginners
Many instructors recommend a simplified “beginner Bm” chord, often called “Bm no barre.” It looks like this:
Bm Chord (No Barre Version)
While this version is indeed easier than the full barre chord, it can still be surprisingly challenging for absolute beginners. Students often struggle with finger placement and getting a clean sound. That’s why I often suggest an even simpler alternative: the Bm7 chord.
The Bm7 Chord: A Great “Easy Bm” Option
The Bm7 (B minor 7) chord is a fantastic substitute for the Bm chord. It’s closely related in sound and, crucially, much easier to play.
Bm7 Chord
The Bm7 chord still uses three fingers, but the finger positioning is simpler because all the notes are on the same fret. In my experience, most beginners can learn the Bm7 chord accurately and consistently within a few weeks of practice. It’s a stepping stone to the full Bm barre chord and sounds great in many songs.
Want to learn more easy beginner chords? Download our popular guide:
Learn 12 Easy Beginner Chords Now!
Stop struggling with difficult chords. Start making music today.
Learn beginner-friendly versions of essential guitar chords.
This guide is our most popular resource for new guitarists and will dramatically improve your chord skills! 
Want a personalized guitar learning plan tailored to you? Click here for GuitarMetrics™
Explore our world-class guitar courses to take your playing to the next level: Click here for our guitar courses
The Super-Simple 2-Finger Bm Chord
For the absolute easiest way to play a Bm-like chord, we can go even simpler! This 2-finger version of Bm is incredibly beginner-friendly:
Bm Chord (2-Finger Version)
Easy B minor guitar chord diagram with two fingers
This 2-finger Bm doesn’t sound exactly like a full Bm or even a Bm7. It’s a simplified version, but it still contains the important “B root note” and provides a minor tonality. Most importantly, it’s significantly easier to play than the standard Bm chord, making it perfect for very early beginners.
Key Tip for All Easy Bm Chord Versions: Avoid the 6th String!
No matter which easy Bm chord version you choose, there’s a crucial detail: avoid playing the 6th string (the thickest string). (String numbers explained here.)
The fundamental note of a Bm chord is the B note, located on the 5th string, 2nd fret (played by your index finger in the 2-finger Bm chord diagram above). Playing the 6th string can muddy the sound of these simplified Bm chords.
Alt text: Diagram highlighting the importance of the B note on the 5th string as the root of the Bm chord.
“Skipping Strings Sounds Hard!” – It’s Easier Than You Think
You might be thinking, “Avoiding a string while strumming? That sounds really difficult!” Initially, it might seem tricky, and you might not get it perfect right away. That’s completely normal.
The key is to focus on strumming consistently rather than aiming for immediate perfection. Don’t get caught in “analysis paralysis,” spending too much time trying to perfectly position your pick before each strum. It’s far more beneficial to simply strum the chord and play!
Free Lesson: How To Skip Strings While Strumming
With repetition, your accuracy will improve rapidly. The more you strum, the quicker you’ll develop the control to avoid that 6th string. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection prevent you from playing and progressing. 
“Shouldn’t I Just Learn the ‘Correct’ Bm Chord From the Start?”
I often hear from determined beginners who want to learn the standard barre Bm chord right away. I admire that ambition!
However, think of it this way: Our long-term goal is for you to play a full Bm barre chord, strumming cleanly and skipping the 6th string. Absolutely. But it’s a challenging skill that’s beyond the reach of most beginners initially.
Trying to master the full barre Bm too early can actually slow down your overall progress and lead to frustration. I’ve seen countless students try both approaches, and the path of starting with easier versions is consistently more successful for beginners.
In the short term, the priority is to get you playing, strumming, and enjoying the guitar. Feeling comfortable with basic chords and strumming patterns is crucial. As you develop, finessing barre chords like Bm will become significantly easier.
Are There Other Bm Chord Variations?
Yes, there are many other ways to play Bm chords up the neck, but most are too complex for beginners. Let’s focus on mastering these easy versions first!
If you’re still finding the easy Bm chords challenging, stick with the 2-finger version and keep practicing. Even short, regular practice sessions will make a huge difference. And who knows, maybe one day your guitar skills will be as valuable as a multi-million dollar vintage guitar!
Discover Your Guitarist Profile!
Take our quick 60-second quiz to discover your unique guitarist type and get personalized recommendations: Take The Quiz Now
Join the World’s Leading Online Guitar Community 
- Personalized Learning Plans: Custom-tailored to your goals and skill level.
- World-Class Courses: Learn from expert guitar educators at your own pace.
- Community & Forum: Connect with fellow guitarists and our supportive team.
- Beginner Song Library: Chord sheets, tabs, and tips for songs at all levels.
- Live Streams & Q&A Sessions: Learn directly from the pros and get your questions answered.
Learn More About National Guitar Academy Membership
Cool Guitar T-Shirts & Merchandise
Show your guitar passion! Explore our unique guitar-themed merch: Visit Our Store
Want More Free Guitar Tips and Lessons?
Join over 100,000 guitar learners and subscribe to our free email guitar tips!
We’ll send you a series of lessons designed to elevate your guitar journey, covering everything from fundamental techniques to ninja tips for instant progress.
Get Our Best Guitar Tips & Videos!
Explore More Popular Guitar Lessons
How To Learn Guitar: An 11-Step Beginner Program
10 Easy Songs For Guitar Beginners
How To Strum A Guitar Like A Pro
Choosing Your First Guitar: The Ultimate Beginner Guide
Guitar Notes Explained Simply For Beginners
Unlock Lead Guitar: Essential Techniques and Tips
3 Easy Ways To Play Bm Chord
Discover More Cool Guitar Resources
Learn About National Guitar Academy: About Us
Join Our Guitar Community on Facebook: Facebook
Listen to The Learn Guitar Podcast: Podcast
Explore Our Free Chord Library: Free Chord Lessons
