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B minor (Bm) on guitar

The B minor scale consists of the notes B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A and has 2 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

B minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in B minor

Common progression: Bm – G – D – A (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
B
Mode
minor
Key signature
2 sharps
Pentatonic
B D E F♯ A
Relative key
D major

Well-known songs in B minor

  • Comfortably NumbPink Floyd
  • DespacitoLuis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
  • Hotel CaliforniaEagles
  • Iron ManBlack Sabbath
  • LevitatingDua Lipa
  • MoneyPink Floyd
  • RadioactiveImagine Dragons
  • The Thrill Is GoneB.B. King
  • Wake Me UpAvicii

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play Bm in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Am shapearound fret 2 · root on A string, fret 2
  • Gm shapearound fret 4 · root on low E string, fret 7
  • Em shapearound fret 7 · root on low E string, fret 7
  • Dm shapearound fret 9 · root on D string, fret 9
  • Cm shapearound fret 11 · root on A string, fret 14

Learn B minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note B

    Find B on the low E string (fret 7) and on the A string (fret 2). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: Bm (i), Em (iv) and F♯m (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (B D E F♯ A) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 7 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (C♯ and G) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of B mineur: B C♯ D E F♯ G A.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Bm – G – A – Bm (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on B and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing B minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for B minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (B D E F♯ A). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root B on the low E string, fret 7.
  2. End your phrases on the root B for a resolved feeling, or on the third D and fifth F♯ for tension.
  3. Add the blue note F as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the F♯m chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to A♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about B minor

Which notes are in B mineur?

B mineur (Bm) consists of the notes B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A. The key signature has 2 sharps.

Which chords fit B mineur?

The diatonic chords in B mineur are Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G, A. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of B mineur?

The relative key is D major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in B mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: B, D, E, F♯, A. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find B on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root B on the low E string at fret 7 and on the A string at fret 2, among other places.