Bbm Ukulele Chord
Bbm on ukulele is 3-1-1-1: barre the 1st fret across the C, E and A strings with your index finger and put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the g string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as A#m, A sharp minor.
- Notes: Bb, Db and F
- Frets: 3 1 1 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Bbm ukulele chord details
- Type
- Minor triad
- Also known as
- A#m, or Bb minor
- Formula
- 1 b3 5
- Intervals
- Bb (root), Db (minor 3rd), F (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Bb, Db and F
- Frets
- 3 1 1 1
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Bbm chord
Here is the Bbm chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the g string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the C, E and A strings at the 1st fret, a small barre.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play Bbm?
Yes: play it as x-1-1-1. Barre the 1st fret across the C, E and A strings with your index finger and skip the g string. It uses one finger instead of two. You give up the g string, but every note of the chord is still there, so it works in any song. Use it while the main shape is still settling, then go back to the full voicing for the bigger sound.
What notes are in the Bbm chord?
The Bbm chord is built from three notes: Bb, Db and F (the root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th). On the ukulele the Bb is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. That flattened third is what gives a minor chord its softer, more wistful feel next to a bright major. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the Bbm chord
The Bbm chord belongs to G♭ Major (the iii), D♭ Major (the vi), A♭ Major (the ii), E♭ Minor (the v), B♭ Minor (the i) and F Minor (the iv). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once Bbm feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Bb7, Bbmaj7, Bb and Bbsus4. Bbm pairs most often with F, Eb and Gm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.