B♭ Minor Guitar Chord (B♭m)
B♭ minor is a three-note chord built from B♭ (the root), D♭ (the minor third), and F (the perfect fifth). It is the wistful, minor-key counterpart to B♭ major. Progressions built on it tend to feel introspective rather than triumphant. Below are 4 ways to play it in standard tuning, easiest shape first.
B♭m chord shapes — standard tuning
How to play it
Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this B♭m shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 3. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.
Once that shape is comfortable, try the other 3 voicings above — same notes, different neck positions and textures.
Notes in this chord
| Symbol | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| R | root | B♭ |
| ♭3 | minor third | D♭ |
| 5 | perfect fifth | F |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see B♭m in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More B♭ chords
Nearby minor chords
B♭m FAQ
What notes are in B♭m?
B♭m contains B♭, D♭, and F — the root (B♭), the minor third, and the perfect fifth.
Is B♭m a barre chord?
The most common B♭m shape (x-1-3-3-2-1) is a barre chord — your index finger bars fret 1 across 5 strings. There is no standard open-position shape for this chord in standard tuning, but the diagrams above include every practical alternative up the neck.
What is the easiest way to play B♭m on guitar?
Start with the barre · 1fr shape x-1-3-3-2-1. Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this B♭m shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 3. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.