B natural minor
Two sharps, F♯ C♯. Seven notes: B C♯ D E F♯ G A. Every open string is in the key. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| iMainBmB · D · F♯ | ||||
| ii°C♯°C♯ · E · G | ||||
| IIIMainDD · F♯ · A | ||||
| ivEmE · G · B | ||||
| vF♯mF♯ · A · C♯ | ||||
| VIMainGG · B · D | ||||
| VIIMainAA · C♯ · E |
Sounds good
Three patterns to try
Walk up to Em. Strum Bm, pick C♯ and D on the way up, land on Em. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all Bm. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFrets 2–4
- MiddleFret 7
- HighFrets 10–12
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 4 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in B minor
Four drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionBm – D – G – A without leaving frets 2 to 6.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordBm in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to EmStrum Bm, then walk the bass C♯ – D into Em.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 4 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why two sharps
E minor with C raised
- B
- C♯
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
B minor is E minor with C raised to C♯.
Harmonic minor
Harmonic minor change
Raising the seventh to A♯ changes F♯m to F♯ major on the fifth degree.