Bm chord

in the c schlegel lessons he shows Bm like this x
3
4
4
2
x
but on my chord chart it shows like this 2
3
4
4
2
x
wich way is correct

uh....i see it the same way both times you wrote it. What's the difference?
3
4
4
2
x

one is
x
3
4
4
2
x
the other is
2
3
4
4
2
x

ssrbob1968-

Both fingerings are Bm. Schlegel is leaving off the F# on the high E string in your example. Why is this OK? Because the F# is still in the chord. Here is a challenge. Post back in this thread where Schlegel's F# note is found. What fret and what string? When notes repeat by what is called an octave within a chord they duplicate. It is the octaves in open chords that give them a full, broad sound. Chords are also 'small' in the sense that they are stripped down to their purest expression, the triad. Learn what a triad is as soon as you can and be sure to keep a printed off fretboard with all the notes written on it handy as reference. You can print off blank fretboards off the net. Write all the notes on them. Also, play up the fretboard naming each note.

If this does not answer your question, please let me know. I know how frustrating things like this can be.

Bill C

thank you man

the f# is
x
3
4
4here right?
2
x

You got it. Now consider this... If you are not going to include that F# in your chord for any significant reason, do not exert the energy to do a straight finger barre across all the notes. However, this being said, be sure to practice the chords using the full barre right now to develop your strength. You can relax you index finger and only finger the root B note with the index finger. Dampen the high F#, don't let it ring. Strum the root b and the remaining triad, leaving off the high F#. Then, later in the progression, maybe you want that high F# to ring out for a melody note, then barre it.


the f# is

x
3 What is this note?
4 What is this note?
4here right?
2
x

G major scale:

G - A - B - C - D - E - F#

The Bm is made from the above scale. Starting with the B, skipping note C, including the D, skipping the E, and finally using the F#. So we have made a triad chord (three note chord) using notes from the G major scale and they are:

B - D - F# = Bm chord

What is really cool is that you can now find all the locations on the guitar neck where the above three notes are found and then you can play a Bm chord. Become familiar with the octave patterns, add some octaves and widen out your fingerings. It's fun to do this and I am realizing more and more that memorizing and knowing the notes that make up a chord really is a must.

Bill C

First, thank you, BillCrandell for providing such in depth answers! :) I just want to add a bit to clarify the issue.

Originally Posted by: ssrbob1968
in the c schlegel lessons he shows Bm like this
x
3
4
4
2
x

...

Any given chord is built by playing the 1st, 3rd & 5th notes of it respective scale. Anywhere on the fretboard (or any instrument) you can find to play those 3 notes you have the chord.

The B minor chord is the 1st, 3rd & 5th of the B minor scale:
B (1st), D (minor 3rd), F# (5th)

So, I could have started with this:

E |--2-(F#)-------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |---------------|
A |---------------|
E |---------------|

All three necessary notes! But it doesn't really match the concept of the other minor chords introduced in GF2. Or this:

E |---------------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |---------------|
E |---------------|

But then we don't have the B on the bottom to make a good solid sounding B minor chord for beginners.

The reason I started with this particular shape in GF2 is that it closely matches the full A minor chord already introduced:

E |---------------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |--2--(B)-------|
E |---------------|

Also, the addition of another F# (5th) on the high E string only makes it harder for beginners to play. Further, it then becomes a barre chord. And I wanted to save that more advanced concept (and harder playing skill) for the end of GF2 in which we introduce barre chords.

E |--2--(F#)------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |--2--(B)-------|
E |---------------|

Make sense?

Best of success & have fun with the guitar!

makes senes thanks

Thank you.

Normally you don't double the chord ingredients unless you want a certain sound. At the beginning when you learn strumming patterns it is ok to double. Later, however, they will tell you to unlearn it (e.g. in Jazz). The major thing is to control the whole process.