How to Make a B Minor on Guitar

B minor is a common guitar chord.

Minor chords are among the most common chords used in popular music. They have a darker, sadder sound than major chords, making them particularly useful as a base for melancholy songs. This tone is the result of the use of a minor third, as opposed to a major third, in the formation of minor chords. Although the B minor chord can be played at several different places on the guitar neck, the second and seventh positions are the most useful for most players.

Instructions

Second Position

1. Bar your index finger directly behind the second fret of the A, D, G, B and high E strings. Make sure the notes at the second fret of the A and high E strings ring out clearly.

2. Press down at the fourth fret on the D string with your ring finger.

3. Press down at the fourth fret on the G string with your little finger.

4. Press down at the third fret on the B string with your middle finger.

5. Strum the strings. Adjust your fret-hand fingers if any notes don't ring out cleanly.

Seventh Position

1. Bar your index finger directly behind the seventh fret of all six strings. Make sure the notes on the low E, G, B and high E strings all sound cleanly.

2. Press down at the ninth fret on the A string with your ring finger.

3. Press down at the ninth fret of the D string with your little finger.

4. Strum all six strings to play a seventh-position B minor bar chord. Rearrange your finger positions if any notes don't ring out clearly.

Tips & Warnings

• These chord shapes are particularly useful because they can be moved up and down the guitar neck. As long as you start on the A string for the five-string bar chord or the E string for the six-string bar chord, this shape will always produce a minor chord. The specific name of each chord will always match the name of the lowest note in each of these shapes.

References

• 8Notes.com: Guitar Chord: Bm
• All-Guitar-Chords.com: Bm Chord
• "Guitar: A Complete Guide for the Player"; Dave Hunter, et al.; 2008