B minor, C minor, F minor and G minor

B, C, F and G minor have no comfortable open shape, so each is played either as a small chord on the top four strings or as a barre chord. For each one, learn the small version first. It sounds good, it fits in songs, and it builds the finger strength the barre needs.

The small B minor: finger 1 on the high E at the second fret, finger 2 on the B string at the third fret, finger 3 on the D string and finger 4 on the G string, both at the fourth fret. Top four strings only.

The full B minor is the A minor shape moved up to the second fret, with finger 1 as a barre across the top five strings. It is one of the most common barre chords in pop and rock music, so it is well worth the practice.

The small C minor is exactly the small B minor shape moved up one fret. Same fingers, same strings, every note one fret higher.

And the full C minor is the full B minor moved up one fret, with the barre at the third fret. This is what makes barre chords powerful: learn one shape and you can play it anywhere.

The small F minor: finger 1 flat across the G, B and high E strings at the first fret, and finger 3 on the D string at the third fret.

The full F minor is the full F from the F lesson with finger 2 lifted, so the G string is held down by the barre instead. It is the E minor shape, moved up one fret.

The small G minor is the small F minor moved up two frets: the barre at the third fret and finger 3 on the D string at the fifth.

The full G minor is the full F minor moved up two frets. Same shape, new place.

Look back over this lesson and you will see only two barre shapes, each moved around the neck:

• the E minor shape, with the root on the low E string: F minor and G minor;
• the A minor shape, with the root on the A string: B minor and C minor.

The lesson on the notes of the neck will show you how to put either shape on any root. Once you can do that, you can play every minor chord there is.