Bm guitar chord
The B minor chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in Bm
- Notes
- B – D – F#
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Name
- B minor
BmB · D · F#
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Most common
- E shape · 7th fret
- D shape · 9th fret
What to play over Bm
Start with the chord's own notes — B, D, F# — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- B minor pentatonic scale
The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
- B Dorian mode
A minor with a brighter 6th — when the chord is a ii.
- B natural minor scale
The natural minor, when the chord is the song’s home chord (i).
- B Phrygian mode
Dark and Spanish-sounding, with the ♭2 — when the chord is a iii.
Questions
What notes are in a Bm chord?
Bm has 3 notes: B, D, F#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – b3 – 5.
What scale goes with Bm?
B minor pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.