Learning how to play the B minor 7 chord on the guitar opens up new possibilities for creating soulful and melodious sounds. In this guide, we will delve into the specifics, providing step-by-step instructions and tips to help you effortlessly embrace and strum the B minor 7 guitar chord.
Contents
What is b minor 7 guitar chord
- The B minor 7 guitar chord (Bm7) is a four-note chord constructed from the basic notes of the B minor scale. Let’s look at the structure of Bm7:
- B (root note): This is the foundational note of the chord, which is B.
- D (minor 3rd): This note creates a minor 3rd interval above the root note B.
- F# (5th): This note creates a perfect 5th interval above the root note B.
- A (minor 7th): This is the minor 7th interval below the root note B.
Compared to the B minor (Bm) chord, Bm7 has an additional note, which is the minor 7th (A). This makes Bm7 sound more open and complex compared to Bm, giving it a softer and more nuanced feeling, suitable for various types of music.
When you play Bm7 on the guitar, it will sound like this, providing a somewhat melancholic and gentle tone, suitable for different musical compositions and situations.
How to play B minor 7 chord in guitar
Bm7 open chord
Now that you grasp the formula for constructing a Bm7 chord, we’ll demonstrate two methods to play it. The initial rendition of the Bm7 chord is executed in the open position, conforming to standard tuning. When a chord is played in the “open position,” it means that certain strings can resonate without requiring fretting.
To perform this open variation of a Bm7 chord on your guitar, position your fingers as follows on the indicated strings and frets:
- Index finger: Press down on the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string.
- Middle finger: Press down on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Ring finger: Press down on the 2nd fret of the E (1st) string.
Pluck the strings in a downward motion, hitting 5 strings from the A (5th) string while excluding the low E. Achieving this particular variation might pose some difficulty as you’d ideally want the D (4th) and A (2nd) strings to ring out freely. Precision in fretting is key, ensuring that adjacent strings intended to remain open are not inadvertently muted. Invest time in practicing this chord version, and in due course, you’ll observe a noticeable enhancement in its clarity and sharpness of sound!
B minor 7 guitar chord in fret 2
An alternative approach to finger the Bm7 chord is in the 2nd position on the guitar neck. Adopting this position means there are no open strings involved. Instead, the lowest-toned notes played in this chord variation commence at the 2nd fret of the guitar.
This version of the Bm7 chord employs the barre chord technique. That you will press your index finger across the 2nd fret of five strings.
To perform the Bm7 chord in the 2nd position on your guitar, position your fingers on the specified frets and strings as follows:
- Index finger: Barre the 2nd fret of the A (5th) string
- Index finger: Barre the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string
- Index finger: Barre the 2nd fret of the high E (1st) string
- Middle finger: Press down on the 3rd fret of the B (2nd) string
- Ring finger: Press down on the 4th fret of the D (4th) string
Bm7 Barre Chords
Bm7 Barre Chord on the 2nd Fret (A Root):
- Barre your index finger across all strings on the 2nd fret.
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the D (4th) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Strum all strings starting from the A (5th) string.
Bm7 Barre Chord on the 7th Fret (E Root):
- Barre your index finger across all strings on the 7th fret.
- Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the D (4th), G (3rd), and B (2nd) strings.
- Strum all strings starting from the low E (6th) string.
Bm7 Barre Chord on the 9th Fret (G Root):
- Barre your index finger across the D (4th), G (3rd), B (2nd), and high E (1st) strings on the 9th fret.
- Place your ring finger on the 11th fret of the A (5th) string.
- Strum the middle four strings starting from the A (5th) string.
In conclusion, chords are like the language of musicians, enabling them to convey emotions and narratives through the strumming of strings. In essence, delving into the realm of B minor 7 guitar chords opens a world of creativity and expression, enriching the musical journey for any aspiring guitarist.
