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Bm7 chord on guitar

Bm7 (B minor seventh) is B, D, F♯ and A. The easiest way to play it is the open Bm7 chord, written x20202. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Bm7

B minor seventh · B D F♯ A · 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

  • Open position

    Open chord

    123BDABF♯

    x20202

  • 2nd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    13121BF♯ADF♯

    x24232

  • 7th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    7fr131111BF♯ADF♯B

    797777

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are B, the root.

How to play Bm7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x20202
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 2nd fret

    x24232
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 4th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 7th fret

    797777
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 7th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 9th fret.

Notes in the Bm7 chord

Bm7 is B, D, F♯ and A, and it sounds mellow and smooth, the everyday chord of R&B, soul and lo-fi. From B, count 3 half steps up to D, 4 more to F♯ and 3 more to A. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5 ♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with B lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Bm7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Bm7

E7020100Bm7 to E7 is ii7 to V7, the first half of jazz’s ii–V–I.Gmaj7320002Bm7 to Gmaj7 is i7 to VImaj7, the lift R&B and lo-fi loops are built on.C♯m7x46454Bm7 to C♯m7 is ii7 to iii7, one step up in the same key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on B

BBmB7Bmaj7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9B6BdimBm7♭5Bdim7Baug

Minor seventh chords on other notes

Cm7C♯m7Dm7E♭m7Em7Fm7F♯m7Gm7G♯m7Am7B♭m7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Bm7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Bm7 chord, written x20202. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Bm7 chord?

Bm7 is B, D, F♯ and A. In the shape written x20202, the 5th to 1st strings play B, D, A, B and F♯.

Is Bm7 a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x20202 needs no barre. The barre shapes (x24232, 797777) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Bm7 on guitar?

This page shows three: x20202 (open position), x24232 (2nd fret) and 797777 (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Bm7?

Yes. “Make a beat in B minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B minor on Bm G D A, the key where Bm7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in B minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B minor on Bm G D A, the key where Bm7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in B minorAll guitar chords

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