How to Play a Bm Chord on Guitar

Co-authored by Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA

Last Updated: November 21, 2023 Approved

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]
X
Research source} 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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 3 Strings (Beginner)

Download Article

To start this simple version of the Bm chord, put your pointer finger on the first E string at the second fret.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Next, put your middle finger on the second B string at the third fret.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Finally, put your ring finger on the third G string at the fourth fret. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
^{[5]
X
Research source}
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]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 5 Strings (Intermediate)

Download Article

1
Barre your first finger. A “barre” is when you use the same fingering across more than one string.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- 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.
EXPERT TIP

Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA
Professional Guitarist
Carlos Alonzo Rivera is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in San Francisco, California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University, Chico, as well as a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Carlos specializes in the following genres: classical, jazz. rock, metal and blues.

Carlos Alonzo Rivera, MA
Professional Guitarist

Our Expert Agrees: To bar with your index finger, you want to press the finger as close to the metal fret as possible and curve the other fingers like the letter C.
Just as the previous method, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret.^{[8]
X
Research source}
This is different from the previous method in that you put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
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]
X
Research source}
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]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Playing a Bm Chord on 6 Strings (Advanced)

Download Article

1
Barre your first finger. This time, extend your first finger across all six strings.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- 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.
Just as the previous methods, put your second finger on the second B string at the third fret.^{[13]
X
Research source}
Similar to intermediate method, put your third finger on the fourth D string at the fourth fret.^{[14]
X
Research source}
Finally, put your fourth finger on the third G string at the fourth fret, right next to your third finger.^{[15]
X
Research source}
For this full version, you’re going to play all six strings, so go ahead and strum all the way through.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Isn't the simplest guitar chord Em or A7?

Community Answer

Em7 is the simplest chord, it's 1 finger on second fret of the fifth string.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 26
Question

What are ways to play F?

George Malen

Community Answer

You can either play it with a barre on the first fret, or only strumming the F on the 4th string, the A on the third string and the C on the 2nd string and the E on the first string.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 10
Question

Should I use a pick?

Community Answer

It's a matter of personal preference whether or not you use a pick.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 35

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

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]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Try not to play certain strings in the Beginner and Intermediate versions, as they will negatively affect the overall sound of your chord.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Only use the barre technique for the first finger, otherwise you’ll risk muting out other strings that you want to keep open.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0