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B minor 9th chord on guitar (Bm9)
Also called or written Bm9 or B
B minor 9th contains B, D, F♯, A and C♯. The open position leaves the low E string muted, so the bass note comes from the A string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionB–D–F♯–A–C♯Bm9×-2-0-2-2-2
- First inversionD–F♯–A–C♯–BBm9/D10-9-9-11-10-9
- Second inversionF♯–A–C♯–B–DBm9/F♯2-2-0-2-2-×
- Third inversionA–C♯–B–D–F♯Bm9/A5-5-×-6-7-7
- Fourth inversionC♯–B–D–F♯–ABm9/C♯9-9-7-7-7-7
How do you play a B minor 9th chord on guitar?
B minor 9th is played in open position as × 2 0 2 2 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe open position requires muting the low E string while fretting four strings with separate fingers, which can cause accidental buzzing.
7th fret
B minor 9th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 7 7 9: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (2) |
Bm9/D inversion
B minor 9th is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 11 10 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the low E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the G string at fret 11 and ring finger on the B string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
Bm9/F♯ inversion
B minor 9th is played in open position as 2 2 0 2 2 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 4 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Bm9/A inversion
B minor 9th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 × 6 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the B string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7. The D string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B minor 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9. The minor 3rd between B and D gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 2nd from B to C♯ adds the ninth. Compare it with B minor 7th, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with B minor 9th?
- Let the low E string ring open, adding an E that is not part of B minor 9th.
- Flatten the middle finger onto the 4th string, muting the open D.
- Lift the pinky too early, cutting off the high C♯.
When to use it
B minor 9th works as the vi chord in D major, as in the progression D–A–B minor–G, the I–V–vi–IV. Use it in folk or indie rock for a warm, mellow color. It also substitutes for B minor when you want the added ninth.
Changing to and from B minor 9th
- From B minor 9th to B minor 7th, lift the pinky and play the 1st string open; the other fingers stay put.
- Sliding the 7th-fret barre shape down one fret to the 6th fret gives B♭ minor 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open position keeps B in the bass for a root-position sound. The Bm9/D inversion at the 9th fret puts the minor 3rd in the bass, softening the chord. Choose the Bm9/A inversion at the 5th fret when you want the ♭7 in the bass for a more suspended feel.
Other B chords
Common questions
Why is the low E string muted in B minor 9th?
The open low E is not a chord tone of B minor 9th. Muting it keeps the bass note as B on the A string, preserving the root position.
What is the difference between B minor 9th and B minor add 9?
B minor 9th includes the ♭7 (A), while B minor add 9 omits the ♭7. The add 9 chord has a more open, less jazzy sound.
Can B minor 9th be played as a barre chord?
Yes, the 7th-fret barre shape is the same voicing moved up. It is easier to slide but requires a full barre.