B Minor

Bm

Notes

B · D · F#

Intervals

  • RootB (1P)
  • Minor 3rdD (3m)
  • Perfect 5thF# (5P)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912F#BDBDF#BBDF#DF#BDBDF#F#BD

About

The B minor triad (BDF♯) lowers the third by a half step, introducing a darker, more inward quality. It functions as the tonic of B minor or as ii in A major. The D is the defining tone — it is what separates minor from major and from any sus chord that omits the third entirely. On guitar, the fifth can be omitted or doubled freely; root and ♭3 together are sufficient to establish the minor sound. Minor chords commonly precede dominants (Bm7→E7AMaj7 as ii–V–I) or move within minor diatonic harmony. Compared to Bdim, minor is stable due to its perfect fifth; compared to B, it carries a more subdued, reflective quality.

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