Explore chords · Ukulele
B minor 7th chord on ukulele (Bm7)
Also called or written Bm7 or Bmin7
B minor 7th contains B, D, F♯, and A. The 4th-fret grip demands a pinky stretch to the 6th fret while the other fingers hold the 5th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
- Root positionB–D–F♯–ABm711-11-10-12
- First inversionD–F♯–A–BBm7/D2-2-2-2
- Second inversionF♯–A–B–DBm7/F♯4-6-5-5
- Third inversionA–B–D–F♯Bm7/A7-9-7-9
How do you play a B minor 7th chord on ukulele?
B minor 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 5 5: index finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the 6th fret on the C string while the middle and ring fingers hold the 5th fret, risking a muted E string.
Bm7/A inversion
B minor 7th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 9: index finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
10th fret
B minor 7th is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 10 12: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, index finger on the E string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (♭7) |
Bm7/D inversion
B minor 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 (barre) | D (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 3rd between B and D gives the chord its minor quality, and the minor 7th A adds a mellow tension. Compare it to B minor, which omits the 7th.
What goes wrong with B minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse onto the E string, muting it.
- Pressing the index finger too flat, which can buzz the G string.
- Rushing the stretch so the C string note sounds sharp.
When to use it
B minor 7th works as the vi chord in D major, appearing in the progression D major–A major–B minor–G major (I–V–vi–IV). It suits folk and indie rock. Try it with B minor and D major.
Changing to and from B minor 7th
- Move to C minor 7th by sliding the shape up one fret to the 5th fret.
- From B minor 7th, slide down one fret to the 3rd fret for B♭ minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 4th-fret voicing keeps B in the bass for a grounded sound. The Bm7/D inversion at the 7th fret puts D in the bass, softening the chord. For a brighter top, use the Bm7/F♯ inversion at the 11th fret.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B minor 7th written?
B minor 7th is written Bmin7 or Bm7.
Why does the 4th-fret voicing feel so stretched?
The stretch comes from the pinky reaching the 6th fret on the C string while the other fingers stay near the 4th and 5th frets. Practicing the shape slowly helps the hand adapt.
How does B minor 7th differ from B minor?
B minor 7th adds the note A, a minor 7th above the root. This extra note creates a softer, more complex sound than the plain triad.