[the-old-coach]

Bhagy-

This is a big win!

The B minor chord is/was always a “busy” chord for me, too. Lots going on there- finding location(s) of the barre and all the fretted notes, all four fingers involved. I “get it”.

For me at last– it’s just sort of slow and clunky.

Sorry if I’m mentioning things you already know—— but may I offer a couple of maybe different perspectives?

1. Weird perspective #1— I always– always— do my A minor using the middle, ring, and pinkie— NOT index, middle, ring. (I know we’re talking about B minor here, not A minor). But quickly/cleanly landing the A minor— then just sliding-up two frets and throwing a barre on the second fret— might be an easier way to get to the B minor. To me it feels kind-of “automatic” after repetitive practice.

2. Weird- (and completely different)- perspective #2— There are multiple ways to play any– (actually every) chord. Let that sink in. In fact, in the CAGED system lessons in Fretboard Wizard show multiple ways to play any chord.

Example- (from FBW)- Play an E-shaped B chord- (sounds difficult– but it’s a really easy chord to get)- then just lift your middle finger off the G string, and you have an easier/faster B minor.

There’s an easy way to get there—- Make an E-minor chord– then just “slide the whole works up the neck” to barre at the seventh (B) fret, with the A & D strings still fretted two frets higher– (as they were in the original E minor). This is an E-shaped B chord– “minored” by lifting the finger off the G string. An E-shaped B-minor chord.

To prove it to yourself– go back and forth between the “traditional version” and the E-shaped version to verify the sound.

Anyway- sorry if I’ve overkilled this issue, or if it’s stuff you already know.

The B minor has always been a little “slower”- (and always needed a little extra “glance”)- than many chords.

Congrats on your big win!

• This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by  the-old-coach.