Explore chords · Ukulele
B♭ minor chord on ukulele (B♭m)
Also called or written B♭m or B♭min
B♭ minor contains B♭, D♭, and F. The 1st-fret shape is a full barre, so it demands even pressure across all four strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play a B♭ minor chord on ukulele?
B♭ minor is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
IntermediateThe index finger must barre all four strings at the 1st fret while the pinky reaches the 3rd fret on the G string.
8th fret · ×-10-9-8 — the easy shape, no barre
B♭ minor is played at the 8th fret as × 10 9 8: ring finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and index finger on the A string at fret 8. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 | F (5) |
B♭min/F inversion
B♭ minor is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 6 4: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 5, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
8th fret · 10-10-9-8
B♭ minor is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 9 8: ring finger on the G string at fret 10, pinky finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and index finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (5) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 | F (5) |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between B♭ and D♭ gives the chord its dark quality. Compare it to B♭ major, which raises the 3rd by a semitone.
What goes wrong with B♭ minor?
- Let the index finger arch, causing the C, E, or A string to buzz.
- Place the pinky too far from the fret, making the G string note sharp or dead.
When to use it
B♭ minor suits brooding ballads and minor-key vamps. Pair it with F♯ major for a classic minor-to-major lift.
Changing to and from B♭ minor
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives B minor.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret gives C minor.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret voicing puts B♭ in the bass for a solid root-position sound. The 8th fret shape uses the same root but sits higher, giving a brighter, more delicate tone. For a darker color, try the B♭min/D♭ inversion, which places D♭ in the bass.
Other B♭ chords
Common questions
How is B♭ minor written?
B♭ minor is written as B♭m, B♭min, B♭−, or B♭mi. On a keyboard, type Bb minor because the ♯ and ♭ symbols are not on standard keys. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between B♭ minor and B♭ major?
B♭ minor has a D♭, while B♭ major has a D natural. The lowered third is what makes the chord sound sad or serious.
Why does the 1st fret shape require a barre?
The barre lets you fret three strings at once with one finger. Without it, you would need four fingers for a chord that only has three notes.
Can I play B♭ minor without a barre?
Yes, the 8th fret shape uses three fingers and no barre. It is easier for beginners but sits higher on the neck.