Play a Bm Chord on Guitar

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The B minor guitar chord (Bm chord) is a very useful chord found in a number of songs, but can be a bit difficult for beginners. This is mostly because it requires a barre. In other words, you have to hold down multiple strings with one finger.[1] An easy way to start learning this chord, however, is to simplify or completely remove the barre. We’ll show you three different ways, with barres and sans barres, so that you can start strumming the Bm chord.

Steps

Playing a Bm Chord on 3 Strings (Beginner)

  1. Place your first finger. To start this simple version of the Bm chord, put your pointer finger on the first E string at the second fret.[2]
  2. Place your second finger. Next, put your middle finger on the second B string at the third fret.[3]
  3. Place your third finger. Finally, put your ring finger on the third G string at the fourth fret. [4]
  4. Leave the fourth D string open. In this version, you’re only going to play the D, G, B, and E strings.[5]
  5. Strum the chord. Starting from the open D string, drag your pick or thumb across the D, G, B, and E strings to play the Bm chord. Do not include the sixth E nor the fifth A string.[6]

Playing a Bm Chord on 5 Strings (Intermediate)

  1. Barre your first finger. A “barre” is when you use the same fingering across more than one string.[7]
    • In this intermediate version of the chord, start by placing your first finger on the fifth A string at the second fret.
    • Press it down it flat across to the first E string.
    • All five strings should now be pressed down at the second fret.
  2. Place your second finger. Just as the previous method, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret.[8]
  3. Place your third finger. This is different from the previous method in that you put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. [9]
  4. Place your fourth finger. You’re actually going to put your fourth pinky finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger.[10]
  5. Strum the chord. For this intermediate version, you’re not going to play the sixth E string. Instead, start your pick or thumb on the fifth string and strum through to the first to play the chord. Do not include the sixth E string.[11]

Playing a Bm Chord on 6 Strings (Advanced)

  1. Barre your first finger. This time, extend your first finger across all six strings.[12]
    • Start by placing your first finger on the sixth E string at the second fret.
    • Press it down it flat across all the strings to the first E string.
    • All six strings should now be pressed down at the second fret.
  2. Place your second finger. Just as the previous methods, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret.[13]
  3. Place your third finger. Similar to intermediate method, put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret.[14]
  4. Place your fourth finger. Finally, put your fourth finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger.[15]
  5. Strum the chord. For this full version, you’re going to play all six strings, so go ahead and strum all the way through.[16]

Video

Tips

  • Try not to play certain strings in the Beginner and Intermediate versions, as they will negatively affect the overall sound of your chord.
  • Only use the barre technique for the first finger, otherwise you’ll risk muting out other strings that you want to keep open.
  • Use a fingering chart to help you remember where to place your fingers and what strings to play. You can find a useful template here.
  • Barre chords (or chords that are played by barring your fingers) are easier to play with practice. Here's a useful exercise to help you get the hang of barre playing.
  • In order to really learn a chord, it’s not enough to just be able to finger the chord. The real mastery comes in being able to move from one chord to another. Try practicing chord shifting exercises like this to help.[17]

Warnings

  • Be careful not to slide your fingers too hard and too fast with any chord, because you might burn them.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  2. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  3. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  4. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  5. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  6. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
  7. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  8. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  9. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  10. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  11. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  12. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  13. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  14. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  15. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  16. ↑ http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/bm.asp
  17. ↑ http://www.tomasmichaud.com/easy-bm-chord-update-8/
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