How to play the Bm9 chord on guitar
Unleash the dreamy sound of Bm9, heard in hits like "Wonderwall" and "Creep."
The Bm9 chord
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.
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common Bm9 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for Bm9 chord
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:
- Use your index finger to barre the strings at the 7th fret from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string.
- Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- 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.
How to play an easy Bm9 chord on guitar
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.
How to play a Bm9 bar chord
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.
Common Bm9 chord progressions
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"
Drills to master the Bm9 chord
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.
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Songs that feature the Bm9 chord
Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bm9 chord.
- Wonderwall by Oasis (Chords: Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4, Cadd9, Bm9)
- Dust in the Wind by Kansas (Chords: Bm9, C#m7, E, A, D, G)
- Blackbird by The Beatles (Chords: G, A, Bm9, C, C#dim7, D, Em, F#dim7)
- Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (Chords: A, E, C#m, F#m, Bm9, D)
- Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Chords: D, F#m, Bm9, G, A, E)
- Iris by Goo Goo Dolls (Chords: D, A, Bm9, F#m, G, D/F#, Em7, Asus4)
- Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (Chords: C, G, Em7, D, Bm9, Am7)
- Everlong by Foo Fighters (Chords: D, A, Bm9, G)
- Landslide by Fleetwood Mac (Chords: C, G/B, Am7, G, D/F#, Bm9, Em)
- Creep by Radiohead (Chords: G, B, C, Cm, Bm9)
How a guitar teacher can help
If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.
You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.