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B minor piano chord

The Bm chord is built from B – D – F♯. See the exact keys, hear how they sound together, and explore how the chord changes when you move its lowest note.

3 notes3 voicingsFree to play & print
QUICK REFERENCE · EXACT NOTES

What notes are in the B minor piano chord?

B minor (Bm) is a minor triad containing B, D and F♯. Its interval formula is root, minor third and perfect fifth.

What are the inversions of Bm?

Bm has 3 positions: root position (B–D–F♯), first inversion (D–F♯–B) and second inversion (F♯–B–D). Each inversion contains the same chord tones but puts a different note in the bass.

These are reference note spellings in twelve-tone equal temperament, not fixed fingerings. See the keys, hear each voicing, or learn chord spelling.

Interactive keyboard

Bm Minor

Selected notes: B – D – F♯

12-tone equal temperament
B minor keyboard diagram showing B – D – F♯
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Change the bass

Explore the inversions

All inversions use the same pitch classes. Moving the bottom note up an octave changes the voicing, not the chord identity.

Explore Bm across all voicings ↗

Root position: B · D · F♯

Lowest note: B. Each higher note is placed above the previous one.

B minor piano keyboard, root positionHighlighted piano keys: B · D · F♯.C4BC5DC6
Learn the shape

How to play Bm on piano

First, find B, the root of this chord. Then add D, the minor third. Add F♯ to complete the triad.

Play the notes together to hear the harmony, or one at a time to hear how the intervals form the chord. Start at a comfortable octave; the diagram shows one reference voicing, not the only valid place to play it.

What makes Bm distinctive?

B minor feels settled in its own key yet can sound reflective beside D major. Its F♯ is the note that distinguishes the chord from a simple B–D interval.

How does Bm compare with a related chord?

Compare Bm with D major (D–F♯–A): D and F♯ remain in both chords, while B moves to A. Listen for how two stable notes let the change feel smooth.

A practice exercise for Bm

Play B–D–F♯ slowly, then switch to D–F♯–A without releasing D and F♯. Notice that only one note needs to move.

One mistake to avoid

Do not substitute F natural for F♯. B–D–F is a different diminished-triad sound.

Finger numbers depend on your hand size, octave and musical context; there isn't one universally correct fingering for every voicing.

A TWO-CHORD EAR-TRAINING CHALLENGE

Hear Bm become D

Start with B–D–F♯, then listen to D–F♯–A. Before opening the answer, decide which two notes can stay and which voice changes.

Show the answer: which notes stay or move?

D and F♯ are shared. B moves down one whole step to A. The change connects B minor to its relative major without moving the whole hand.

Play each button after the previous sound fades. The exercise checks your listening; it does not record or score your performance.

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