B minor (Bm) chord on piano

Looking for the Bm chord on piano? It is a minor triad, made of three notes: B – D – F♯.

Root position: B3 – D4 – F♯4

What the Bm chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the Bm chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	B	root
3	D	minor third (3 semitones)
5	F♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

B3 – D4 – F♯4

1st inversion

D4 – F♯4 – B4

2nd inversion

F♯4 – B4 – D5

Which keys is it in?

The Bm chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

B minor: i (tonic)
E minor: v (dominant)
F♯ minor: iv (subdominant)
G major: iii
D major: vi
A major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

If Bm is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

D – relative major: two shared notes
G – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
Bm7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

Bm7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Bm6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Bm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Bm chord?

B, D, F♯. The root is B; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth.

How do I play the Bm chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

Why do some songbooks write H instead of B?

In German and Central European notation, H is the note B, and B is the note B♭. So a “B” chord in a German or Hungarian songbook is B♭ in English notation, and an “H” chord is B. Always check which notation your chord chart uses.