Originally Posted by: jsquiersNow my understanding is that b minor key would mean our scale of notes starts at b and the "minor" part tells us the pattern of whole or half steps we move up to get the rest of the notes in the scale. But can't all of these notes still be found at the top of the neck (frets 1-4)?

Yes, you are right. To say a song in "in the key of B minor" means that you can start on any B and apply the minor scale forumla. Then you would arrive at the notes that form the B minor scale:

B (1) - C# (2) - D (min3) - E (4) - F# (5) - G (min6) - A (min7)

However, at that point all you have is a list of notes. Now, you have to actually find a place to play those notes on the fretboard. Many guitarists use the E string as the default location for doing this. It just so happens that the note B is on the 7th fret of the E string. So, from a guitarist point of view, it is convenient to start there.

As you pointed out, the notes of B minor do extend all over the fretboard. But we have to have some kind of handy reference point or visual guide in order to physically apply the conceptual theory of "the B minor scale" to the guitar.

So, you don't have to start on the 7th fret, but you can. And it is frequently convenient to do so. Make sense?