B minor chord (Bm)
Bm is B, D and F♯: 1–♭3–5 built on B. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-2-4-4-3-2 · barre · medium
- Notes
- B · D · F♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
- First shape
- x-2-4-4-3-2
Bm on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · B–D–F♯ · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- B · D · F♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
Bm on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
4-2-2-2 · movable · medium
- Notes
- B · D · F♯
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
- First shape
- 4-2-2-2
Where Bm usually goes next
Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.
- Bm → E (V in A major)
Guitar: Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): your index finger lands on the G string, 1st fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for B, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: Bm to E: play E in 2nd inversion (B–E–G♯) and B stays under the same finger, while D moves up to E and F♯ up to G♯. E - Bm → D (IV in A major)
Guitar: Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): move the index finger to the G string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Shared notes: D and F♯.
Piano: Bm to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and D and F♯ stay under the same fingers, while B moves down to A. D - Bm → A (I in A major)
Guitar: Bm (x-2-4-4-3-2) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your index finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: Bm to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E), while B moves down to A, D down to C♯ and F♯ down to E. A
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, Am shape; capo 7, Em shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, Am shape; capo 7, Em shape.
How Bm is built
Bm is a minor triad. It is darker and softer than B major, but not automatically sad: in a major key it often just adds color.
From B, go 3 half steps up to D then 4 half steps up to F♯.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | root | 0 | |
| D | minor third | 3 | |
| F♯ | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Bm
You'll find Bm as ii in A major, iii in G major and vi in D major. On the minor side it's i in B minor, iv in F♯ minor and v in E minor.
i–VI–III–VII in B minor runs Bm – G – D – A. the minor anthem
Play i–iv–V in B minor and you get Bm – Em – F♯ – Bm. the minor cadence
Bm – A – G – F♯: that's i–VII–VI–V in the key of B minor. the Andalusian cadence
In B minor, i–VII–VI–VII is Bm – A – G – A. the epic minor loop
Chords close to Bm
- Bm and B differ by one note: D in Bm, D♯ in B. They share B and F♯. B
- Bm and D differ by one note: B in Bm, A in D. They share D and F♯. D
Chords that share most of their notes with Bm: D6, Gmaj7, G♯m7♭5, Bm7, Bm6, E9.
Every B chord
B minor chord: questions
What notes are in the B minor chord?
B, D and F♯. Bm is built 1–♭3–5 from B: D is the minor third and F♯ is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Bm on guitar?
The usual shape is x-2-4-4-3-2 (barre). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Bm on piano?
Play B, D and F♯ with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. B sits just right of the group of three black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Bm on ukulele?
4-2-2-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Bm in?
You'll find Bm as ii in A major, iii in G major and vi in D major. On the minor side it's i in B minor, iv in F♯ minor and v in E minor.
What's the difference between Bm and B?
Bm and B differ by one note: D in Bm, D♯ in B. They share B and F♯.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes B, D and F♯ and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.