"B" chord - Page 3

Guyute · #31 08-16-2005, 03:10 PM

This is cracking me up now.....I actually play 7 X 8 7 X X on a couple songs!

I still don't know what to call them, but they're all some weird B variant (I only know that because they're partial CAGED forms...and I don't even really understand that whole "system").

Tom S. · #32 08-16-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guyute

You mean the 7th fret, right?

Yes, that's what I get for imagining the fretboard in my head.

anthonyc007 · #33 08-16-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semolinapilcher

Also consider substituting a B7 chord for a B;

I would also suggest substituting the Bm or Bm7 chords. Although they are still barre, they are much easier IMHO. I really like how the Bm7 sounds. Give it a try:

(6 to 1)
Bm: x24432
Bm7: x24232

astrummer · #34 08-16-2005, 07:46 PM

For me the B chord is the barre at the 2nd fret. It took me several months of working on that double jointed partial barre with the ring finger as part of the 5th string root barre chord to get it right but I think it was worth it. It helps me to flow fairly well strumming in the key of E.

Bern · #35 08-16-2005, 08:14 PM

Here is a way a lot jazz guitarists play the B min7 without barring in the 2nd fret with F# in the soprano.
Root position - 1st spread
5th str. 2 fret 1st finger (B)
3rd str. 2 fret 2nd finger (A)
2nd str. 3 fret 4th finger (D)
1st str. 2 fret 3rd finger (F#)
1st finger mutes D string
If you fingerpick you can still alternate the bass with the 1st finger B > F#

Pigfarm · #36 08-16-2005, 08:34 PM

So,

Bm7: X 2 4 2 3 2

What is Bm7b5 ?

X 2 4 2 2 2 ?

MattM · #37 08-16-2005, 08:36 PM

I have been studiously avoiding the traditional barre B for years. My favorite easy substitutions are as follows: X 2 4 4 0 0 or 7 9 9 8 0 0 or 0 9 9 8 0 7 These are actually sus4 chords (i.e they have an "E" in them), and I use them mostly when playing in the key of E. The first chord is especially easy to slide into from an A2. It can also be subbed in for Bm since it has no third (Eb). The last form sometimes sounds better without the open bass. Hope this helps.

TBman · #38 08-16-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyc007

Everyone has trouble with this at first. Here is a little workaround until you get it full tilt (but you DO have to get eventually):

x
4
4
4
2
x

Barre the 2nd fret with your index, then barre the 4th with your ring, but come up one string short, if you catch my drift (by the way, Pigfarm is incorrect, the 6th string is not played.). Mute that 1st sting with the index and you got a good facsimile of a B chord.

You'll definetly need to master this shape when you start playing barre chords up the neck.

Good luck!

That is the same way I do play it, but slide it up the neck to the 7th fret and work on getting a good sound there - the frets are closer together. Then take it down one fret at a time as your hand gains strength.

Bern · #39 08-16-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigfarm

So,

Bm7: X 2 4 2 3 2

What is Bm7b5 ?

X 2 4 2 2 2 ?

Bm7b5 : X 2 3 2 3 X (root position)
or X 2 X 2 3 1 (root position - 1st spread)
or 1 2 0 2 0 X (2nd inversion)
there are more !

Instead of F# you play F in the chord
B C D E F G A
B D F A
1 3 5 7

Pigfarm · #40 08-17-2005, 06:17 AM

Yeah, so I tried out that Bm7b5.

Not a big fan. Sounds terrible. Sounded almost as bad as me trying to sing. Really. I can't put that juxtapose of sound into context of any song.

I'm ousting the Bm7b5.

Bern · #41 08-17-2005, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigfarm

Yeah, so I tried out that Bm7b5.

Not a big fan. Sounds terrible. Sounded almost as bad as me trying to sing. Really. I can't put that juxtapose of sound into context of any song.

I'm ousting the Bm7b5.

WAIT ! Don't oust it yet !

Here are two ways to use it
1. You could substitute G7 with Bm7b5 in the key of C
i.e. play C Bm7b5 Am7 Dm7 G7 C
2. You can also use it in II V I progression
Bm7b5 > E7b9 > A in this situation you are playing
Bm7b5 | E7b9 (A harmonic minor) > A (A major)
This sounds very pleasing

BTW:
E7b9: 0 2 3 1 3 0

dthumb · #42 08-17-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern

Bm7b5 : X 2 3 2 3 X (root position)
or X 2 X 2 3 1 (root position - 1st spread)
or 1 2 0 2 0 X (2nd inversion)
there are more !

Instead of F# you play F in the chord
B C D E F G A
B D F A
1 3 5 7

I like that one , too. Amaj7 scale up and down the neck. One of those "sweet" inversions thats moveable and very "pluckable".

Guyute · #43 08-17-2005, 10:04 AM

I just love how this thread has evolved into a discussion on the Zen of B.

I think it's fair to point out that the original poster (who's probably run away by now screaming, "All I wanted was Bmaj! And they wouldn't give me it! Bmaj!") was looking for simplicity. And while it's cool to be able to play a Bm7b5, it doesn't really help in the context of simplicity.

And while there are times you can substitute for Bmaj with a variety of chords (mostly during improv jams and jazz tunes), in the context of most beginners songs, if you play a Bm when the song calls for B, it's gonna sound WRONG.

semolinapilcher · #44 08-17-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guyute

I just love how this thread has evolved into a discussion on the Zen of B.

I think it's fair to point out that the original poster (who's probably run away by now screaming, "All I wanted was Bmaj! And they wouldn't give me it! Bmaj!") was looking for simplicity. And while it's cool to be able to play a Bm7b5, it doesn't really help in the context of simplicity.

And while there are times you can substitute for Bmaj with a variety of chords (mostly during improv jams and jazz tunes), in the context of most beginners songs, if you play a Bm when the song calls for B, it's gonna sound WRONG.

I don't think it's so wrong for a conversation such as this to evolve.

The original poster can take or leave any or all pieces of this, and I stand by my original advice, which was to suck it up and master the B barre but also substitute when possible with B7 open chord. Over the years I've found the B7 open chord works better in at least half of the situations where B barre is called for - especially when the rest of the chords of the song are open.

dthumb · #45 08-17-2005, 11:40 AM

Something just occurred to me....we don't know if the original poster picks or plays fingerstyle. If he/she is trying to strum some of the things we've suggested it will be all wrong. Sound like dooky. Even selective flat picking has its limits in that regard.
I know that alot of my choices for fingerings are made BECAUSE of the type of picking, fingerpicking,strumming, plucking, etc. I'm using at the time. I wonder what that person does????