Bm7♭5 chord on guitar

Bm7♭5 is B, D, F and A. The easiest shape is x-2-0-2-0-1. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

x-2-0-2-0-1 · open · easy

Notes: B · D · F · A
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7
First shape: x-2-0-2-0-1

How to play Bm7♭5 on guitar

Shape 1, x-2-0-2-0-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: high E string, 1st fret (F).
Middle finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Ring finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Let the open D and B strings ring (D and B).
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.

Other ways to play Bm7♭5

7-x-7-7-6-x: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Root on the 6th string: move it up or down and it names a different half-diminished chord.
x-2-3-2-3-x: movable shape at the 2nd fret, medium. This is the open Am7♭5 shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-9-10-10-10: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Bm7♭5 chord changes

The chords Bm7♭5 usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

E7 (the iiø7 of a minor key heads to V7): Bm7♭5 (x-2-0-2-0-1) to E7 (0-2-0-1-0-0): your middle finger stays put, your index finger lands on the G string, 1st fret. An easy one to get up to speed. Listen for B and D, which stay put while the rest moves. E7 on guitar
Cmaj7 (I in C major): Bm7♭5 (x-2-0-2-0-1) to Cmaj7 (x-3-2-0-0-0): the index finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Listen for B, which stays put while the rest moves. Cmaj7 on guitar
Em7 (iii in C major): Bm7♭5 (x-2-0-2-0-1) to Em7 (0-2-0-0-0-0): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret. Shared notes: B and D. Em7 on guitar

Bm7♭5 is a half-diminished chord (minor seventh flat five). Bm7♭5 is the ii chord of a minor key, the first step of a minor ii–V–i. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting Bm7♭5 under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: B, D, A, B, F. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to 7-x-7-7-6-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Bm7♭5

Bm7♭5 on piano and ukulele

Bm7♭5 on piano and ukulele uses the same 4 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Close to Bm7♭5

Other half-diminished chords

Bm7♭5 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Bm7♭5 on guitar?

B, D, F and A. In the x-2-0-2-0-1 shape the strings play B (A string), D (D string, open), A (G string), B (B string, open) and F (high E string), so B is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Bm7♭5 on guitar?

x-2-0-2-0-1, shape 1 above. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Bm7♭5 a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-2-0-2-0-1 needs no barre.

Which string does Bm7♭5 start on?

In the x-2-0-2-0-1 shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B, the root. Skip the low E string.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes B, D, F and A and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.