The B minor chord contains B – D – F♯ (Root – Minor 3rd – Perfect 5th). Standard open position: x24432. It appears in B minor (i), D major (vi), G major (iii).
Character & Sound
Dark, intense, and emotionally rich — B minor is one of the most commonly used minor chords in rock and pop. It is typically the first barre chord guitarists learn and its mastery is a milestone in any guitarist's development.
Pop, rock, folk. Bm is the vi chord in D major — making it essential for the I–V–vi–IV progression (D–A–Bm–G) used in countless songs.
The parallel chord is B major — same root, major 3rd instead of minor. Compare them side by side in the Chord Finder.
How to Play the B Minor Guitar Chord
Barre all five strings at the 2nd fret with your index finger, then place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the D string and your pinky on the 4th fret of the G string. Mute the low E string. Focus on clean barre pressure and avoiding buzzing strings.
Songs That Use Bm
- "Wish You Were Here" – Pink Floyd (Bm section)
- "Hotel California" – Eagles (Bm in the solo)
- "Nothing Else Matters" – Metallica
- "Zombie" – The Cranberries
Explore Chord Voicings Interactively
The MusoKit Chord Finder shows every voicing on guitar, piano, and ukulele — with audio playback.
Open Chord Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the B minor chord?
The B minor chord contains B – D – F♯ (root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th).
How do you play B minor on guitar?
x24432 — barre at 2nd fret with index, ring on 4th fret D string, pinky on 4th fret G string. Mute low E.
What keys use the B minor chord?
Bm appears in B minor (i), D major (vi), G major (iii), and A major (ii).
Why is Bm so hard to play?
It requires a partial barre chord with clean pressure across multiple strings. Most guitarists find it easier than full barres — the index only covers 5 strings, not 6.