Bm7 Guitar Chord

Bm7 is the B minor seventh chord. It has four notes: B, D, F sharp and A. It is usually the first minor seventh barre chord a player needs, because it lives in the guitar friendly keys of D and A, and its barre covers only five strings.

A five string barre at fret 2 with the middle and ring fingers stacked above it: the open Am7 shape moved up two frets.

How to play Bm7, 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
Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

If the barre is not ready yet, learn the no barre shape at fret 9 first and come back. The barre grip also travels: one fret up, the same shape is Cm7.

More ways to play Bm7

There are 3 common Bm7 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.

Bm7 guitar chord diagram, easier, no barre, played x x 9 11 10 10 — Easier, no barre

Bm7 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played 797777 — Barre at fret 7

If some strings buzz or vanish

High E buzzes or goes quiet: The far end of the barre does the work there. Keep the index finger straight through its last joint and lean it back slightly toward the nut so its edge presses the string.
G string does not ring: The G string sounds under the middle of the barre, right between the two fretted fingers. Place the middle and ring fingers first, then squeeze the barre down and test each string one at a time.
Low E hums along: It is not in the chord. Let the tip of the barre touch it lightly, or bring the thumb over the top edge of the neck to keep it quiet.

What makes it a Bm7

B · D · F♯ · A 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

Bm7 is a minor seventh chord: a B minor triad (B, D, F#) plus a minor seventh (A). The A softens the triad, trading gloom for calm. Bm7 earns its keep through two jobs: it is the ii chord in A major, where it walks into E7, and the vi chord in D major. D and A are two of the most natural keys on the guitar, so Bm7 shows up constantly in songs written on the instrument.

Bm vs Bm7

Bm and Bm7 are both 2nd fret barres, one finger apart: Bm puts the pinky on the G string at fret 4, Bm7 lifts it and lets the barre sound the A underneath. That single note change softens the whole chord, and with one finger fewer to place, Bm7 is also the slightly easier grip. If a song asks for Bm and your hand is tired, Bm7 usually passes.

Bm7 chord questions

Is Bm7 easier than Bm?

Slightly. Both use the same 2nd fret barre, but Bm7 needs one finger fewer. Many players find it the friendlier way into minor barre chords.

Can I play Bm7 without a barre?

Yes. The compact shape at fret 9 on this page (x x 9 11 10 10) is a complete Bm7 with no barre.

What songs use Bm7?

The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King sits on Bm7 for most of the song. Beyond that, Bm7 appears in a large share of songs in D major and A major.

What keys use Bm7?

B minor itself, plus D major, where it is the vi chord, and A major, where it is the ii chord and usually moves to E7.

Is Bm7 a barre chord?

The standard shape is, though the barre covers five strings rather than six. The fret 9 shape avoids the barre entirely.