Also written B♭m7 or B♭min7
B♭ minor 7th is built from B♭, D♭, F, and A♭. The default voicing is a one-finger barre at the 1st fret, making it a compact but demanding grip.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval between B♭ and A♭ gives the chord its mellow, unresolved quality. Compare it to B♭ minor, which drops the A♭ and sounds more settled.
B♭ minor 7th suits jazz, neo-soul, and slow R&B ballads where the minor 7th adds warmth. In C♯ major, it appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression as the vi chord, following G♯ major and leading to F♯ major. Compare it to B♭ minor for a less complex sound.
The default voicing is a B♭m7/D♭ inversion with D♭ in the bass, giving a darker, less grounded sound. The 9th fret voicing puts B♭ in the bass for a root-position feel, while the B♭m7/F inversion at the 3rd fret emphasizes the fifth.
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1.
Tip — The index barre must hold down all four strings cleanly at the 1st fret, which requires significant finger strength.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 8: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (5) |
B♭ minor 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 11: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (5) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | A♭ (♭7) |
B♭ minor 7th is written as B♭min7 or B♭m7. On a keyboard, use Bb for the root. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ minor 7th adds an A♭ to the B♭ minor triad. The extra note creates a softer, more complex sound that resolves less firmly.
The default voicing puts D♭ in the bass, making it a first inversion. Bass notes other than the root reduce the chord's stability and give it a floating quality.
The 1st fret voicing requires a barre, but the 3rd fret and 9th fret voicings use individual fingers. Those positions are easier if you struggle with barre strength.