How to play the Bm7b5 chord on guitar

The Bm7b5 chord, pronounced B half-diminished, is a versatile and melancholic chord often used in jazz, blues, and funk music. It's composed of the notes B, D, F, and A, creating a unique, tension-filled sound. Notable songs featuring the Bm7b5 chord include "Michelle" by The Beatles and "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, where it adds a haunting and introspective quality to the progressions.

The most common way to play the Bm7b5 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bm7b5 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 7th fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), and 5th (A) strings, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Bm7b5 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to properly fret all the strings in the barre.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bm7b5 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Leave the other strings open.
4. Strum only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings.

Playing the Bm7b5 chord as a barre chord can make it easier to transition to and from other barre chords, and it frees up your other fingers to add embellishments or melody notes.

Here's how to play a Bm7b5 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 2nd fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down.

The Bm7b5 chord, also known as the B half-diminished seventh chord, is often used as a passing chord or a substitute for the ii chord in minor key progressions, creating a sense of tension and emotional complexity. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Bm7b5 chord:

• i - iv - Bm7b5 - V (Am - Dm - Bm7b5 - E). Used in "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin.
• i - Bm7b5 - ii7 - V (Am - Bm7b5 - Cm7 - E7). Used in "Misty" by Erroll Garner.
• Bm7b5 - E7 - Am (Bm7b5 - E7 - Am). Used in "All the Things You Are" by Jerome Kern.
• i - VI - Bm7b5 - V (Am - F - Bm7b5 - E).
• Bm7b5 - E7 - Am7 - D7 (Bm7b5 - E7 - Am7 - D7). Used in "Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk.

To master the Bm7b5 guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest pitched string and moving to the highest. Focus on producing a clear, crisp sound for each note. Once comfortable, play the notes in reverse order.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning to and from the Bm7b5 chord. Choose a chord you know well, like Em or G, and alternate between playing that chord and Bm7b5. Start slowly, ensuring each chord rings clearly, then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the transition.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bm7b5 chord:

1. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, E, C, D, Fm, G, Am7, Dsus2, D7, Bm7b5)
2. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (Em, G, A, Bm7b5, Em, G, A, G, Bm7b5)
3. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (Bm, A, G, D, Em, Bm7b5)
4. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (G, Em, Am, C, D, Bm7b5)
5. Hotel California by Eagles (Am, E7, G, D, F, C, Dm, E, Bm7b5)
6. Thunderstruck by AC/DC (B, Bm7b5, E, F#, Bm7b5)
7. Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits (Dm, C, Bb, A, Bm7b5)
8. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses (D, C, G, Bm7b5)
9. Roxanne by The Police (G, Bm7b5, C, Cm, D)
10. Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan (E, A, Bm7b5, B7)