Piano chord
BmB minor
- B1
- D♭3
- F♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Bm on piano
- Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B, 3 on D, 5 on F♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 3 on D, 1 on F♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B – D – F♯
1st inversion · D – F♯ – B
2nd inversion · F♯ – B – D
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Bm inversions
Here are all 3 positions of Bm. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has B at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: BRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with Bm
The other chords of B minor, the key where Bm is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
Bm with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–D–F♯.
Bm on other instruments
About the Bm chord
The 3 notes of B minor are B (1), D (♭3), F♯ (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.
Put your thumb on B and count up: B – D – F♯. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Bm without stretching.
The inversions of Bm keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–F♯–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–B–D).
Take A out of Bm7 and you get Bm.
Bm belongs to G major (iii), D major (vi), A major (ii), E minor (v), B minor (i).
Questions
What notes are in the Bm chord?
Bm (B minor) has 3 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F♯ (5).
How many inversions does Bm have?
Bm can be played in 3 positions: Root position (B–D–F♯); 1st inversion (D–F♯–B); 2nd inversion (F♯–B–D).
What is the difference between Bm and Bm7?
Take A out of Bm7 and you get Bm.
Can I play Bm with one hand?
Yes. In root position Bm spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.