B Minor 7th

Bm7

Notes

B · D · F# · A

Intervals

  • RootB (1P)
  • Minor 3rdD (3m)
  • Perfect 5thF# (5P)
  • Minor 7thA (7m)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912F#ABDBDF#ABABDF#DF#ABDABDF#AF#ABD

About

The B minor 7th (BDF♯A) combines a minor triad with a minor seventh. The A softens the minor triad, giving m7 a more open, fluid sound than a plain minor chord. The D and A are the two essential tones — together they define both the minor quality and the seventh extension; the 5th can be dropped. In jazz, m7 is the standard ii in major ii–V–I progressions (Bm7 → E7AMaj7) and a common tonic color in modal contexts. In funk and soul, it provides warmth without the tension of a dominant chord. Compared to Bm, m7 is less tense and more harmonically relaxed; compared to Bm9, less ornamental.

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