B Minor Chord
The B minor chord uses B, D and F sharp. Press those notes together and you have Bm. Keep the root and fifth, then change only the middle note to hear how a minor chord differs from a major one.
- Notes: B-D-F sharp
- Symbol: Bm
- Three positions
Where are the notes?
The root and third are white keys; F sharp is black. Play B-D-F sharp, then raise D to D sharp to compare the parallel major triad.
B is the root. D is three semitones above it, a minor third. F sharp is seven semitones above the root. If the written chord symbol has a small m, such as Bm, the third is the note you should check first. Minor Chord gives the general formula.
How do the inversions work?
- Root position: B-D-F sharp, with B lowest.
- First inversion: D-F sharp-B, with D lowest.
- Second inversion: F sharp-B-D, with F sharp lowest.
When D is the lowest note in the whole arrangement, write Bm/D. With F sharp in the bass, write Bm/F#. An inversion changes the register and bass line, while the note set stays B-D-F sharp.
Where does Bm fit?
B minor is the home triad in B natural minor. It is also the sixth chord in D major. In that major key, the same notes have a different role because the melody and surrounding chords point elsewhere.
Try Bm-Em-F#m-Bm. These four chords come from the B natural-minor scale. The final Bm repeats the first chord, so listen for the return after the middle two. If you later replace the chord on scale degree 5 with its major form, you will introduce a raised seventh from harmonic minor.
What changes in B major?
Raise D to D sharp; keep B and F sharp. You get B-D sharp-F sharp. Play both chords at the same volume, then alternate their thirds alone. The single changed key is the reliable distinction, even when tempo or instrument color changes.
A short practice loop
Play B-D-F sharp together, then D-F sharp-B. Name the new lowest note before pressing "Hear" again. Return to root position, change D to D sharp, and say whether the result is major or minor.