Question 1

What notes are in Bm?

Accepted Answer

Bm is B – D – F#. The third is minor — one semitone lower than in a major chord — which is where the darker colour comes from.

Question 2

Which keys does Bm belong to?

Accepted Answer

Every note of Bm fits the scale of G (iii), D (vi), A (ii). The numeral says which degree the chord sits on, so the same chord does a different job in each of those keys — a I feels like home, a V pulls back towards it.

Question 3

How is Bm used in a song?

Accepted Answer

One common place is D, in the progression I – V – vi – IV — D – A – Bm – G. Play those four in a loop and the role of Bm becomes obvious: you can hear where it wants to go next.

Question 4

How many inversions does Bm have?

Accepted Answer

2, plus root position. An inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, which keeps the chord the same but changes which note is in the bass — the usual reason is to get from one chord to the next without moving your hand far.

Bm piano chord — the keys, the inversions, the theory

Bm

Inversions of Bm

Keys that contain Bm

Questions