Bm Guitar Chord

Bm is the B minor chord. It has three notes: B, D and F♯. There is no open shape, so the standard Bm is a barre at the 2nd fret, and for most players it is the first barre chord a song forces on them. A four string version further down needs no barre at all.

The standard Bm: an Am shape barred at the 2nd fret. Index across five strings, three fingers building the minor shape on top.

How to play Bm, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the A to high E strings at fret 2
Middle finger: 3rd fret, B string
Ring finger: 4th fret, D string
Pinky finger: 4th fret, G string
Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

If the full barre collapses, learn the no barre version below first and come back. The two shapes share their top four notes, so nothing you practice is wasted.

Easy Bm for beginners (no barre)

The standard Bm is many players' first wall. If your barre is not ready, play the four string version (xx4432): the same three fingers as the top of the barre shape, with the two lowest strings simply left out.

Nothing important is missing. A minor chord's identity comes from its root, third and fifth, here B, D and F♯, and the small shape contains all three. What you give up is only the low B bass note and some thickness.

Use the no barre Bm in real songs today and drill the barre separately, a few minutes a day. Since the small shape is the exact top half of the full one, every song you play with it is also rehearsal for the real thing.

More ways to play Bm

There are 4 common Bm shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Bm guitar chord diagram, easier, no barre, played xx4432 — Easier, no barre

Bm guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played 799777 — Barre at fret 7

Bm guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 7 to 9, played xx9777 — Compact, frets 7 to 9

If the barre buzzes or dies

The high E under the barre buzzes: Only two strings actually depend on the barre here: the A and the high E. Roll the index slightly onto its bony edge and focus pressure at its tip and its base, the two spots doing the work.
Low E rings out: The low E is not in the chord. Let the tip of the barre finger poke past the A string to touch it, or start the strum from the A string.
The B string note chokes: The middle finger sits alone at the 3rd fret and the two fingers behind it can drag it flat. Keep it arched so it presses cleanly and stays off the high E.

What makes it a Bm

B · D · F♯ 1 ♭3 5

Bm is a minor triad: B, a minor third D, and a fifth F♯. It is the relative minor of D major, which is why so many D major songs reach for it: With or Without You and Hey There Delilah both live in D and use Bm as the vi chord. In the key of A it works as the ii chord. If you play in D or A at all, Bm is unavoidable, which is exactly why it tends to be the first barre chord people are pushed into learning.

Bm vs B

One note apart: Bm has a D, B major has a D♯. On guitar both need a barre at the 2nd fret, but the fingers above the barre differ. B major stacks its three notes on the 4th fret, while Bm spreads across the 3rd and 4th, and most learners find the minor grip the more comfortable of the two. The song decides which you need; the third is the whole difference in sound.

Bm chord questions

Why is Bm so hard?

It is usually the first chord with no open string escape route. The hard part is the barre technique itself, not Bm specifically; once any barre works, Bm works.

Can I play Bm without a barre?

Yes. The four string version (xx4432) uses three ordinary finger placements, keeps all three chord notes, and works in real songs.

What songs use Bm?

Hotel California, With or Without You, Wild Horses and Hey There Delilah all depend on it.

What is the difference between Bm and B?

One note: D in Bm, D♯ in B major. Both are 2nd fret barre chords with different finger stacks on top.

What can I play instead of Bm?

The no barre version on this page is the honest substitute. In many D major songs Bm7 also works: it has an easier open shape and contains all three notes of Bm plus an A.