Also written B♭m7 or B♭min7
B♭ minor 7th is built from B♭, D♭, F, and A♭. This advanced bass shape stretches the pinky to the 8th fret while the other fingers hold the 6th.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ minor 7th uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The ♭3 gives it a minor quality, and the ♭7 adds a darker edge compared to B♭ minor. The interval between B♭ and A♭ is a minor 7th, and between B♭ and D♭ is a minor 3rd.
B♭ minor 7th works in the I–V–vi–IV progression in C♯ major, where it is the vi chord. It suits minor-key ballads and smooth R&B bass lines, especially when paired with B♭ minor.
The 6th fret position puts B♭ in the bass for a root-position sound. The B♭m7/F inversion at the 13th fret places F in the bass, softening the chord, while the B♭m7/A♭ inversion at the 4th fret uses A♭ in the bass for a darker, more suspended feel.
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 6: index finger on the E string at fret 6, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 8th fret on the A string while the other fingers stay at the 6th fret, requiring a wide stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (5) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 11th fret as 13 13 11 13: middle finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, index finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 4 | A♭ (♭7) |
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 4 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
B♭ minor 7th is written as B♭min7 or B♭m7. On a keyboard, the root is typed as Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ minor 7th adds the ♭7, A♭, to the B♭ minor triad. This extra note creates a minor 7th interval from the root, giving the chord a more complex, jazzy color.
Yes, the B♭m7/A♭ inversion at the 4th fret places the chord lower on the neck. This voicing puts A♭ in the bass and works well for creating a darker tone.
The stretch between the index finger on the 6th fret and the pinky on the 8th fret is the main challenge. Keeping the pinky arched and the other fingers close to the frets helps maintain clarity.