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B minor 7th chord on bass (Bm7)
Also called or written Bm7 or Bmin7
B minor 7th contains B, D, F♯, and A. The 7th-fret shape mirrors the B♭ minor 7th grip but sits one fret higher, giving the left hand a slightly tighter stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
How do you play a B minor 7th chord on bass?
B minor 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 7: index finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 7 and ring finger on the G string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 3 | D (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky stretch from the 7th to the 9th fret is the hardest part, especially for players with smaller hands.
Bm7/F♯ inversion · open position
B minor 7th is played in open position as 2 2 0 2: index finger on the E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and ring finger on the G string at fret 2. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (♭7) |
Bm7/F♯ inversion · fret 12
B minor 7th is played at the 12th fret as 14 14 12 14: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, index finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (♭7) |
Bm7/A inversion
B minor 7th is played at the 4th fret as 5 5 4 4: ring finger on the E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 5, index finger on the D string at fret 4 and middle finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The ♭3 and ♭7 create its minor quality. Compare it with B minor, which lacks the ♭7.
What goes wrong with B minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky lie flat and mute the 2nd string.
- Pressing the index finger too hard, causing the 4th string to go sharp.
- Failing to arch the ring finger, which deadens the 1st string.
When to use it
B minor 7th appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression in D major: D major–A major–B minor–G major. It fits folk-rock and pop ballads where the ♭7 softens the minor chord.
Changing to and from B minor 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 6th fret gives B♭ minor 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 8th fret gives C minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 7th-fret shape keeps B in the bass for a clear root-position sound. The Bm7/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret puts F♯ in the bass, which is useful when the bass line moves from the 5th below. The Bm7/A inversion at the 5th fret places A in the bass, creating a darker, more suspended feel.
Other B chords
Common questions
What is the difference between B minor 7th and B minor?
B minor 7th adds the ♭7, A, to the B minor triad. This extra note gives the chord a more relaxed, jazzy character.
Why is the Bm7/F♯ inversion so common?
The 5th in the bass provides a stable but less definitive sound than the root. It is often used when the bass line moves stepwise from F♯ to G or E.
Can B minor 7th be played with open strings?
Yes, the Bm7/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret uses the open D string. This voicing is easier for beginners but still sounds full.