Bm Guitar Chord | 6 Best Ways to Play (with Charts)

Dwight H.
Written by
Dwight H.
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Paul Mazzola

B Minor Guitar Chord (6 Best Way to Play Best with Charts)

B Minor isn't a chord you think about too often, but once it rears its head you'll be kicking yourself if you don't remember how to play it. Even for lesser-utilized chords, there's no excuse not to remember at least one voicing, so today, we're going to cover a few in the hopes that you'll be able to use one when you need it most.

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How to Play B Minor

Now, you may have heard somewhere that you need to play B Minor as a barre chord if you're up near the head of your guitar. You certainly can tackle it this way:

B minor
B minor
  • Use your 1st finger to bar the strings at the 2nd fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd string/3rd fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 4th string/4th fret

  • Place your 4th finger on the 3rd string/4th fret

  • Mute string 6

Bm Guitar Chord (Non-Barre)

You can stay in this position and not use your barre, however, if you're good enough at stretching your fingers. Check this out:

Bm guitar chord non-barre
Bm guitar chord non-barre
  • Place your 1st finger on the 5th string/2nd fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 1st string/2nd fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd string/3rd fret

  • Place your 4th finger on the 3rd string/4th fret

  • Play string 4 open

  • Mute string 6

See how you're playing nearly the same notes as with your barre chord, with the exception of the 4th fret? We've swapped in a "D," but managed to retain the B Minor sound while making the chord a bit easier to play.

Bm Guitar Chord #3

You could also try that original voicing we learned, remove the 5th string from the equation, and arrive at a similar result, like this:

Bm guitar chord #3
Bm guitar chord #3
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  • Place your 1st finger on the 1st string/2nd fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd string/3rd fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 4th string/4th fret

  • Place your 4th finger on the 3rd string/4th fret

  • Mute strings 5 and 6

Bm Guitar Chord #4

If you've got a knack for muting strings, want to stay near the 1st fret, but also want a voicing with fewer notes, however, you could try this trickier variation here:

Bm guitar chord #4
Bm guitar chord #4
  • Place your 1st finger on the 5th string/2nd fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 1st string/2nd fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd string/3rd fret

  • Mute strings 3, 4, and 6

Bm Guitar Chord #5

There's also a tricky voicing you can try on the 4th fret. Make sure you've stretched your hand before you give it a try:

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Bm guitar chord #5
Bm guitar chord #5
  • Place your 1st finger on the 4th string/4th fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 5th string/5th fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 6th string/7th fret

  • Place your 4th finger on the 3rd string/7th fret

  • Mute strings 1 and 2

Bm Guitar Chord #6

You can also take B Minor up to the 5th fret, if you so choose:

Bm guitar chord #6
Bm guitar chord #6
  • Place your 1st finger on the 5th string/5th fret

  • Place your 2nd finger on the 6th string/7th fret

  • Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd string/7th fret

  • Place your 4th finger on the 1st string/7th fret

  • Mute strings 3 and 4

Perfecting Your Technique

Making B Minor sound its best will be a matter of hard work and effort on your part. Many of these voicings require substantial finger stretches and the strength in your left hand to mute/grasp multiple strings. Good luck, and, as always, happy practicing!