The B minor (Bm) guitar chord is infamous among beginner guitarists. It’s often cited as one of the most challenging chords to learn early on, and if you’ve been struggling with it, you’re definitely not alone! This is why we’ve put together this lesson – to guide you through the easiest ways to master the Bm chord and get you playing smoothly in no time.
In this guide, you will discover:
- How to play the standard Bm guitar chord (and why it’s tricky)
- A simplified Bm chord that’s perfect for beginners
- An ultra-easy 2-finger version of the Bm chord
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Mastering the Bm Guitar Chord: Why Is It So Hard?
So, what makes the Bm chord so difficult? The answer lies in the dreaded ‘barre’. The standard Bm chord requires a barre, where your index finger presses down multiple strings at once.
If you’re unfamiliar with chord diagrams, check out our article “How To Read Guitar Chordboxes In 60 Seconds“. It will clarify everything!
Here’s how the standard Bm chord is typically played:
Bm Chord (Standard Barre)
It’s clear from the diagram – this is a challenging chord. It demands finger strength and dexterity that beginner guitarists often haven’t yet developed. Playing this Bm chord cleanly and quickly requires an intermediate skill level.
Quick Tip: Before tackling any guitar chords, ensure your guitar is perfectly tuned. A clip-on tuner like the Snark ST-8 is highly recommended. It attaches easily to your guitar’s headstock and uses vibration to provide accurate tuning. Pretty neat, huh?
For beginners, we need simpler alternatives. Let’s explore some easier ways to play the Bm chord.
The Beginner-Friendly Bm Chord (No Barre)
Many instructors suggest this ‘beginner Bm’ as a stepping stone:
Bm Chord (Simplified No Barre Version)
bm guitar chord
While this version is indeed easier than the barre chord, it can still be tricky for true beginners. My students often find this simplified Bm still requires a bit too much finger gymnastics. That’s why I always lean towards an even simpler Bm variation.
My Go-To Easy Bm Guitar Chord: Bm7
My personal favorite for beginners is the Bm7 chord. It’s closely related to the Bm and retains a similar feel, but it’s significantly easier to play.
Bm7 Chord
The Bm7 chord still uses three fingers, which might seem like a lot at first. However, the beauty of this chord is that all the fingers are positioned on the same fret. This makes it much easier to memorize and play consistently. In my experience, most beginners can master the Bm7 chord within a few weeks of practice.
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The Ultra-Simple 2-Finger Bm Chord
For the absolute easiest Bm chord possible, we can simplify it even further to a 2-finger version:
Bm Chord (2-Finger Easy Version)
B minor guitar chord
This 2-finger Bm chord doesn’t sound exactly like a full Bm7 or standard Bm. It’s a more basic voicing, but it still contains the crucial B root note. The massive advantage here is its simplicity – it’s incredibly easy for beginners to get their fingers around.
Choosing the Best Easy Bm Chord Version
IMPORTANT: String Skipping Notice!
Regardless of which easy Bm version you choose, it’s crucial to avoid playing the 6th string when strumming. (String number explanation here.)
The foundational note of a clear Bm chord is the B note located on the 5th string (played by your index finger in the chord diagrams above).
String Skipping Sounds Hard! How Do I Do It?
Skipping the 6th string might seem daunting initially, but don’t worry too much about it at first. It’s definitely a skill to aim for, but it will take practice.
The key is to start strumming! Don’t get bogged down trying to perfectly position your pick before each strum. It’s far more beneficial to simply strum the chord.
Free lesson to help: How To Skip Strings While Strumming
With repetition, your accuracy will improve quickly, and you’ll naturally start avoiding that 6th string. However, if you spend too much time trying to achieve perfection before even strumming, you risk “analysis paralysis,” slowing down your learning progress significantly. Don’t fall into this trap! 
“Shouldn’t I Just Learn the Standard Bm Chord Right Away?”
I often hear this from motivated beginners, and I admire the ambition!
However, consider this: Ultimately, yes, we want you to play the full Bm barre chord cleanly, skipping the 6th string. But that’s a long-term goal. It’s a challenging technique that’s beyond most beginners.
Trying to master the standard Bm too early can actually hinder your progress. I’ve seen countless students try both approaches, and the easier versions are clearly the more effective starting point.
In the short term, the priority is to get you playing and strumming comfortably. Our initial goal is to build your confidence and get you making music. As you progress, refining the Bm chord (and other barre chords) will become much easier.
Are There Other Bm Guitar Chord Variations?
Absolutely, there are many other Bm chord variations! However, most are too complex for beginner guitarists. Let’s focus on mastering these easy versions first!
If you’re still finding it challenging, keep practicing the super-easy 2-finger Bm. With a bit of consistent practice, you’ll get it. And who knows, maybe one day your guitar skills will be priceless!
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