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B minor chord on bass (Bm)
Also called or written Bm or Bmin
B minor contains the notes B, D, and F♯. This 7th-fret shape is a movable four-string voicing that suits intermediate players.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play a B minor chord on bass?
B minor is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 9 7: index finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 9, pinky finger on the D string at fret 9 and middle 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 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 4 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (♭3) |
IntermediateThe stretch between the index finger on the 7th fret and the ring and pinky on the 9th fret requires comfortable finger independence.
Bmin/D inversion
B minor is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 11: ring finger on the E string at fret 10, index finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
Bmin/F♯ inversion · open position
B minor is played in open position as 2 2 0 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The G string stays muted.
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) | muted | — | — |
Bmin/F♯ inversion · fret 7
B minor is played at the 7th fret as × 9 9 7: middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and index finger on the G string at fret 7. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (♭3) |
Bmin/F♯ inversion · fret 12
B minor is played at the 12th fret as 14 14 12 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14 and index finger on the D string at fret 12. The G string stays muted.
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) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
B minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, with the ♭3 (D) giving it its minor quality. The interval from B to D is a minor 3rd, and from B to F♯ is a perfect 5th. Compared to B major, the third is lowered by one semitone.
What goes wrong with B minor?
- Letting the middle finger flatten onto the 1st string and mute it.
- Pressing the ring finger too far from the fret, causing the 3rd string to buzz.
- Striking the strings too hard and losing the clarity of the inner notes.
When to use it
B minor is the vi chord in D major, appearing in progressions like D–A–Bm–G (I–V–vi–IV). It suits rock, folk, and pop lines where a darker color is needed without leaving the key.
Changing to and from B minor
- Move to A minor by sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret.
- Move to C minor by sliding the shape up one fret to the 8th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 7th-fret shape puts the root B in the bass, giving a solid, centered sound. For a lighter feel, use the Bmin/F♯ inversion, which places the fifth F♯ in the bass and softens the chord's attack.
Other B chords
Common questions
How does B minor differ from B major?
B minor lowers the third from D♯ to D, changing the chord's quality from bright to somber. The fifth and root remain the same.
What scales work over B minor?
B natural minor and B minor pentatonic are the most direct choices. The blues scale adds a ♭5 for a grittier sound.
Can I play B minor with a barre?
The 7th-fret shape uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Bmin/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret is easier for beginners.