Learning the BM Chord on the 7th Fret with an Open Barre Shape

If you’re working on expanding your chord vocabulary on guitar, mastering the Bm7 (B minor 7) chord is a great addition. The Bm7 is a versatile chord that adds a melancholic yet soulful vibe to your playing, making it perfect for genres like pop, rock, jazz, and even blues. In this post, I’ll show you how to play the Bm7 chord at the 7th fret, a position that can sound especially rich and full.

Table of Contents

What Is the Bm7 Chord?

First, let’s quickly review the basics. The Bm7 chord consists of four notes:

B (the root note)
D (the minor third)
F# (the perfect fifth)
A (the minor seventh)

This gives the Bm7 chord its distinct minor, yet slightly jazzy feel. Now, let’s break down how to play it at the 7th fret.

Step 1: Place Your Fingers in the Right Position

To play the Bm7 chord at the 7th fret, you will use a barre chord shape, similar to the Em7 chord but moved up the neck. Here’s the breakdown:

Index Finger: Barre all six strings at the 7th fret. This is the key to playing a barre chord and will allow the other notes to ring out cleanly.
Middle Finger: Place it on the 8th fret of the B string (2nd string).
Ring Finger: Place it on the 9th fret of the D string (4th string).
Pinky Finger: Place it on the 9th fret of the G string (3rd string).

Step 2: Check the Notes

Here’s what each string should be playing:

6th string (low E): The index finger barring the 7th fret should press down on the B note (the root).
5th string (A): The index finger barring the 7th fret should press down on the F# note (the fifth).
4th string (D): The ring finger pressing the 9th fret will play an A note (the minor seventh).
3rd string (G): The pinky pressing the 9th fret will play a D note (the minor third).
2nd string (B): The middle finger pressing the 8th fret will play an F# note (the perfect fifth).
1st string (high E): The index finger barring the 7th fret will play a B note (root).

Step 3: Strum the Chord

Once your fingers are positioned, you should strum all six strings. Make sure that each note rings clearly, especially on the barre strings. If some notes sound muted or muffled, adjust your finger placement or the pressure you’re applying with your index finger.

Tips for Playing the Bm7 Chord at the 7th Fret:

Proper Barre Technique: When playing barre chords, it’s essential to press down firmly with the index finger to avoid buzzing or muting. Your thumb should be placed roughly in the middle of the neck for support.
Finger Placement: Make sure your ring and pinky fingers are pressing down directly on the strings, and not on the frets themselves. This will give you a cleaner sound.
Muting Unwanted Strings: If you’re struggling with unwanted strings ringing out, try lightly touching the 6th string with the tip of your thumb to mute it. This ensures that only the intended strings are being played.

Practice Progression Ideas:

Once you’ve got the Bm7 at the 7th fret down, try using it in some chord progressions to get a feel for its sound and how it transitions to other chords. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Bm7 – G – A – E: This progression features a mixture of minor and major chords and can be heard in a lot of pop and folk songs.
Bm7 – Em7 – F#7: For a more jazzy sound, this progression moves through minor and dominant seventh chords.
Bm7 – D – A – G: A common pop progression that gives the Bm7 a chance to shine.

Why Play the Bm7 at the 7th Fret?

While you can play a Bm7 chord in other positions on the fretboard, playing it at the 7th fret allows for a fuller, brighter sound, especially if you like to use open strings in other parts of your playing. It also helps in connecting smoothly to other barre chords on the neck, making it a good choice for songwriters and performers who want to add more harmonic variety.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the Bm7 chord at the 7th fret might take some practice, especially if you’re new to barre chords, but the payoff is well worth it. Once you get comfortable, you’ll find this chord shows up in tons of styles, giving your playing a rich, emotive depth.

So grab your guitar, get your fingers into shape, and have fun experimenting with the Bm7 chord at the 7th fret! Happy playing!