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Overcome These 3 Biggest Bm Chord Challenges on Ukulele

by Brett McQueen

Barre chords on ukulele, like Bm (B minor), present a lot of challenges, but they also present opportunities to improve your fretting hand technique.

Bm Ukulele Chord Diagram

Bm Ukulele Chord Diagram

If you can figure out a barre chord like Bm on ukulele, then, there’s no reason you can’t play dozens of other barre chords! That’s not to say barre chords are easy, but with the right approach, you can begin to get your fingers acquainted and comfortable playing barre chords.

And that’s what we’re doing today.

I’ve covered difficult barre chords before like Master the Bb Chord on Ukulele With These 3 Easy Steps, When to Play the Easy Hawaiian D7 Versus the Barre D7 Ukulele Chord, or 3 Best Ways to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele, but this chord deserves special attention.

Let’s take a look!

Overcome These 3 Biggest Bm Chord Challenges on Ukulele

In this lesson, I walk you through the three biggest challenges to playing the Bm chord, like not having the strings ring out or not being able to reach, and I show you how to overcome those with proper fretting hand position and technique.

By the end of the lesson, you’ll feel much more confident approaching Bm and other barre chords on ukulele.

Be sure to watch to the end of the video, because I offer a simple substitution whenever you come across a Bm chord in a song.

That said, take the time to practice this chord because you’ll be a stronger and more confident ukulele player in your jams knowing this chord!

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    51 Comments

    1. Trish Moran

      This is very useful and encouraging. I struggle with barre chords. Thank you, Brett.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        I’m very glad you found this so useful, Trish! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    2. Richard Simpson

      Thanks Brett
      I’m always interested in how others teach different chords. I do encourage placement of thumb further up the neck so that you get more leverage, less straight squeeze on the hand. Also, for barre chords, make sure you are holding the uke snuggly with strong arm which reduces need for hard squeeze with weak hand

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        That’s another great tip about holding the ukulele snuggly, which I forgot to mention. Thanks for sharing that here in the comments!

        Reply
    3. Jane

      More of the same on different bar cords please and thanks

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Good to know, Jane! I’ll see what I can do. Glad you enjoyed this.

        Reply
    4. Albert

      Small hands guy still struggling but appreciated the bit about lowering & pushing the elbow forward to get that ring finger up there with less muting on the barre. Thanks

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Keep working at it, Albert! The thumb and elbow position will really help and you might consider utilizing that little finger too. Glad this gave you some ideas.

        Reply
    5. Gwen

      Hi Brett,
      The thing I learned from this video was how to place your thumb on the back of the neck of the uke. I have been playing for a few years and have never been instructed on how to actually hold the neck. I can get a cramp in my left hand sometimes and maybe itโ€™s because Iโ€™m not holding the neck correctly. Thank you for this,

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        I’m glad I could help, Gwen! I didn’t mention it in the video but sometimes using a ukulele strap can really help to provide that extra stability to allow you to focus on comfortable and strong fretting hand position. That’s another thing you can try if you find yourself struggling with maintaining the thumb position behind the neck of the ukulele.

        Reply
    6. Gwen

      Ps. I am interested in a lesson on chord patterns.

      Reply
    7. Doreen

      For some strange reason I found doing this Bm chord easier than any other B chord. I especially liked using my little finger and get a reasonable sound this way.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Nice, Doreen! A lot of these tips and tricks can apply to other barre chords like Bb (e.g. using a full four-fret barre). I’m glad the little finger worked for you.

        Reply
    8. Szifra

      Option for Bm7 also useful. Thanks so much. Weโ€™ll sequenced instructions. And good tips.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Awesome, Szifra! Thanks for watching!

        Reply
    9. Jeannie

      Great video! Maybe take one more step and show a transition to another chord that sometimes is in conjunction with Bm. I can do Bm but it is hard to transition to it from another chord. Any tricks or tips?

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        That could be a good followup video on changing to and from barre chords. Thanks for your comment!

        Reply
    10. Ian Butler

      I like the sequence about using the little finger; it needs all the remaining it can get. Any videos about moveable chords wilful defaulter be useful in the future.

      Thanks Brett, and keep up the great work.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Thanks for watching, Ian!

        Reply
    11. Vickie beebe

      You are awesome. Thank you for tips

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Glad you enjoyed, Vickie! Thanks for watching!

        Reply
    12. Matt Daniels

      Thanks for the information. A lot can be used for other bits too.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        My pleasure, Matt. A lot of these ideas can definitely be applied to other chords too.

        Reply
    13. Maureen Wedlock

      I would love to learn more about moveable chords.I love your Videos Brett. Keep up the good work
      Maureen Wedlock

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Ok, good to know, Maureen! Thanks for watching.

        Reply
    14. Lisa

      Great tips Brett particularly thumb and wrist positioning. More moveable barre chords tips required please!

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Good to hear, Lisa! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    15. P J Smith

      So happy you suggest using little finger! Mine is quite strong (my ring finger is a bit twisted) but my last Uke teacher used to tell me off if I tried to use it.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Strange! The little finger can never be used too much I don’t think. It’s a very helpful finger in the fretting hand! Thanks for watching, P J.

        Reply
    16. Liz

      Very helpful, Brett! You hit the target with my issues. Happy to leave my frustration behind.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Fantastic, Liz! That’s great to hear.

        Reply
    17. Bob Mitchell

      Excellent Video Brett. Transition to and from other chords would be helpfull. I also liked your tips, I will pass them on to my class.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Thanks, Bob!

        Reply
    18. Latona TJ

      Great advice. Thank you, Bm just became easier.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        I love to hear that! Thanks for watching.

        Reply
    19. Pam

      Would be interested in more cords that are difficult to play or form the same structure

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Good to know, Pam! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    20. Patty

      Very helpful video. Barring the whole fret with index finger extending above worked well for this small handed person.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        I’m glad that tip worked well for you, Patty! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    21. Margaret

      So informative. Thanks so much Brett.
      Practice, practice, practice is the the name of the game and the message Iโ€™m getting.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Thanks for watching, Margaret!

        Reply
    22. Lois Anne

      Thanks Brett for the reminder to place index finger closer to the fret rather than in the middle. I have been working on barre chords.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Glad to be of help! Thanks for your comment, Lois!

        Reply
    23. Rudy Bratcher

      Finally had a chance to watch. Great tips! Like many others, I struggle with the barre chords. They definitely take a lot more practice and strength than other chords.

      I am interested in moveable chord patterns. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Thanks for watching, Rudy!

        Reply
    24. Jean

      Awesome! I was actually using my baby finger and not holding the four finger directly onto the fret so it was always a bad sound. Now it’s amazing!!!

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        That’s fantastic, Jean! Great job!

        Reply
    25. Leni

      Using the little finger instead of the ring finger works a treat – I have small fingers!

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Woohoo! Glad to hear that did the trick, Leni!

        Reply
    26. Gail

      I have been using little finger on 4th string, but I think adding middle finger to support index strength and positioning my thumb and elbow will help me. It is good to know that I can subsitute Bm7 if I can’t make the Bm work.

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        The thumb and elbow position trick can’t be under-emphasized. It’s very important and very helpful! Glad you enjoyed this lesson, Gail. Thanks for your comment!

        Reply

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