How to play the Bm9 chord on guitar

The Bm9 chord, pronounced "B minor ninth," is a rich and complex guitar voicing that adds a sophisticated flavor to progressions. Notable for its melancholic and jazzy sound, the Bm9 is favored in genres like neo-soul, R&B, and indie rock. Songs like "Neon" by John Mayer and "Teenage Crime" by Adrian Lux prominently feature this chord, showcasing its emotive and expressive qualities.

The most common way to play a Bm9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bm9 chord on your guitar:

1. Use your index finger to barre the strings at the 7th fret from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 1st (high E) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Bm9 chord, making sure each note rings out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bm9 chord, try playing a basic B minor chord (simply called "Bm") instead. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, third finger on the 4th fret of the D string, and second finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.

The Bm9 chord is most commonly played as an open chord, rather than a barre chord. I am not confident that a popular barre chord version of Bm9 exists that would be suitable for beginners learning guitar chords.

The Bm9 chord often serves as a transitional or expansive chord in progressions, adding a dreamy or sophisticated emotional flavor. Common chord progressions featuring Bm9 include:

• ii9 - V7 - I (Bm9 - E7 - A)
• iii9 - vi - ii - V (Bm9 - F#m - D - E). Used in "Stairway to Heaven" and "With or Without You"
• ii9 - V7sus4 - V7 - I (Bm9 - E7sus4 - E7 - A)
• vi9 - ii - V - I (Bm9 - D - E - A)
• iii9 - bVII7 - bIII7 - bVI7 (Bm9 - A7 - D7 - G7). Used in "The Girl from Ipanema"

To master the Bm9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders, building muscle memory and dexterity.

Another effective drill is to play the Bm9 chord as an arpeggio, plucking each string one at a time. This helps develop finger independence and accuracy. Gradually increase your speed as you become more proficient, ensuring that each note rings out clearly.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bm9 chord.

1. Wonderwall by Oasis (Chords: Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4, Cadd9, Bm9)
2. Dust in the Wind by Kansas (Chords: Bm9, C#m7, E, A, D, G)
3. Blackbird by The Beatles (Chords: G, A, Bm9, C, C#dim7, D, Em, F#dim7)
4. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (Chords: A, E, C#m, F#m, Bm9, D)
5. Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Chords: D, F#m, Bm9, G, A, E)
6. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls (Chords: D, A, Bm9, F#m, G, D/F#, Em7, Asus4)
7. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (Chords: C, G, Em7, D, Bm9, Am7)
8. Everlong by Foo Fighters (Chords: D, A, Bm9, G)
9. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac (Chords: C, G/B, Am7, G, D/F#, Bm9, Em)
10. Creep by Radiohead (Chords: G, B, C, Cm, Bm9)