B flat major seventh chord (Bb7M) on piano
The B flat major seventh chord (Bb7M) on piano has 4 notes: B flat, D, F, and A (B♭, D, F, A). With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-2-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (B flat) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- B♭DFA
- Formula
- 1357
How to play Bb7M on piano
Root position · From low to high: B♭ D F A
Right hand: 1-2-3-5 Left hand: 5-3-2-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
Bb7M chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (Bb7M/D)
Bb7M/D: D (3) in the bass
From low to high: D F A B♭
-
2nd inversion (Bb7M/F)
Bb7M/F: F (5) in the bass
From low to high: F A B♭ D
-
3rd inversion (Bb7M/A)
Bb7M/A: A (7) in the bass
From low to high: A B♭ D F
Notes and intervals of Bb7M
Bb7M (B flat major seventh) is built from 4 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- B♭ · 1 · root
- D · 3 · major third
- F · 5 · perfect fifth
- A · 7 · major seventh
About the major seventh chord
A major chord with a major seventh: smooth, sophisticated and a little nostalgic. It is the signature sound of bossa nova, jazz and soft pop, and it appears in ballads to "mellow out" the I and IV chords.
Other B flat chords
- Bb
- Bbm
- Bb7
- Bb7M
- Bbm7
- Bbm7(b5)
- Bb°
- Bb°7
- Bb+
- Bbsus2
- Bbsus4
- Bb7sus4
- Bb5
- Bbadd9
- Bb6
- Bbm6
- Bb9
- Bbm(add9)
- Bbm9
- Bb7M(9)
- Bbm(7M)
- Bb7M(#5)
- Bb7(b9)
- Bb6(9)
- Bbm6(9)
- Bb11
- Bbm11
- Bb13
- Bbm13
- Bb7(#9)
- Bb7(#11)
- Bb7(b13)
- Bb7(#5)
- Bb7M(#11)
- Bb9sus4
Major seventh: other roots
Arpeggio
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Bb7M chord on piano?
Bb7M (B flat major seventh) has the notes B♭, D, F, A. The formula is 1 · 3 · 5 · 7: root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh.
How do you play Bb7M on piano?
Find the B flat key and add the other notes above it: B♭, D, F, A. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-2-1.
What are the inversions of Bb7M?
1st inversion (Bb7M/D): D F A B♭; 2nd inversion (Bb7M/F): F A B♭ D; 3rd inversion (Bb7M/A): A B♭ D F.
What does Bb7M mean?
Bb7M is the chord symbol for B flat major seventh. A major chord with a major seventh: smooth, sophisticated and a little nostalgic. It is the signature sound of bossa nova, jazz and soft pop, and it appears in ballads to "mellow out" the I and IV chords.
Is the Bb7M chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.