Bm Chord on Ukulele
Bm = B – D – F# (Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th)
Bm lowers B major's third by a half-step, from D# to D, and the ukulele shape reflects that with a bigger barre than the major version needs: instead of a small two-string barre plus a separate middle-finger note, Bm uses one continuous barre across the C, E, and A strings at the second fret, freeing up a single finger to reach the G string's fourth fret on its own. It's essentially B major with the middle finger's note absorbed into an extended barre, the same relationship seen between other major-minor pairs on this instrument.
Bm carries a darker, more introspective color than B major without losing the ukulele's naturally bright timbre, since a single half-step shift is a small enough change to color the mood without overwhelming the instrument's inherent brightness. It functions as the ii chord in the key of A major, a common stop just before a V chord in ii-V-I motion, and as the vi chord in the key of D major, where it serves as the relative minor's stand-in inside D-major songs, much the way Am relates to C. Because the shape leans on a three-string barre rather than open strings, Bm has a slightly more contained, focused sound than the open minor shapes like Am or Dm, giving it a moodier character that suits its frequent use as a brief detour rather than a full key center. Songs in the key of A that want a moment of reflection before the dominant chord resolves reach for Bm specifically because that minor color contrasts so clearly with the otherwise sunny character A-major progressions tend to have on this instrument.
Fingerings
Open Position
How to Practice It
Treat the barre as one motion covering three strings rather than three separate placements — lay the index finger flat across the C, E, and A strings at the second fret and check all three ring individually before adding the ring finger's higher note on the G string. Since the ring finger's note sits two frets above the barre, keep it arched enough that it doesn't lean back and brush the E string underneath it. The B-to-Bm change is a useful drill specifically because it isolates what changes between a major and minor chord that share a barre-based shape: only the middle finger's note gets absorbed into the extended barre, with the ring finger's position staying exactly the same in both chords. Once that switch feels natural, try looping through B, Bm, and back to B slowly, timing the extra string added to or dropped from the barre so it lands cleanly rather than smearing between the two chords.
Common Progressions
- ii – V – I, in the key of A (Bm – E – A)
- vi – IV – I – V, in the key of D (Bm – G – D – A)
- i – iv – V, treating Bm as its own minor tonic (Bm – Em – F#7)
- I – ii – V – I, in the key of A (A – Bm – E – A)
FAQ
- How does the Bm shape differ from B major?
- B major uses a small two-string barre plus a separate middle-finger note; Bm extends that barre to cover three strings instead, absorbing the middle finger's note and leaving only the ring finger's fourth-fret note independent.
- What makes Bm sound darker than B major?
- Its third drops a half-step, from D# to D, which is enough to shift the chord from major to minor while still keeping the ukulele's characteristically bright, ringing timbre intact.
- Where does Bm fit harmonically?
- As the ii chord in the key of A major it's a common stop before a V chord, and as the vi chord in D major it functions as that key's relative minor, much the way Am relates to C major.
- What's the clearest way to feel the B-to-Bm relationship?
- Switch between the two chords slowly and notice that only the barre changes width, from two strings to three, while the ring finger's note on the G string's fourth fret stays in exactly the same place both times.
- Is Bm a chord beginners typically avoid?
- It's not usually a first chord, since the three-string barre demands more finger-flattening control than the earlier open shapes, but it's a natural next step once a player is comfortable with B major's smaller barre.
Bm on other instruments: Bm on Guitar, Bm on Piano. Related: how chords are built, chord finder.