B flat minor chord (Bbm) on piano
The B flat minor chord (Bbm) on piano has 3 notes: B flat, D flat, and F (B♭, D♭, F). With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1 (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♭D♭F
- Formula
- 1♭35
How to play Bbm on piano
Root position · From low to high: B♭ D♭ F
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
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.
Bbm 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 (Bbm/Db)
Bbm/Db: D flat (♭3) in the bass
From low to high: D♭ F B♭
Right hand: 1-2-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
-
2nd inversion (Bbm/F)
Bbm/F: F (5) in the bass
From low to high: F B♭ D♭
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-2-1
Notes and intervals of Bbm
Bbm (B flat minor) is built from 3 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- B♭ · 1 · root
- D♭ · ♭3 · minor third
- F · 5 · perfect fifth
About the minor chord
The minor third makes the chord darker, wistful or inward-looking. In a major key it shows up on the ii, iii and vi degrees (A minor in C major); in a minor key it is home base, from romantic ballads to folk songs.
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
Minor: other roots
Chords that go with Bbm
In the key of Bbm (minor), the most common chords next to it are the iv, the V7, the ♭III, the ♭VI and the ♭VII:
Arpeggio
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Bbm chord on piano?
Bbm (B flat minor) has the notes B♭, D♭, F. The formula is 1 · ♭3 · 5: root, minor third, perfect fifth.
How do you play Bbm on piano?
Find the B flat key and add the other notes above it: B♭, D♭, F. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1.
What are the inversions of Bbm?
1st inversion (Bbm/Db): D♭ F B♭; 2nd inversion (Bbm/F): F B♭ D♭.
What does Bbm mean?
Bbm is the chord symbol for B flat minor. The minor third makes the chord darker, wistful or inward-looking. In a major key it shows up on the ii, iii and vi degrees (A minor in C major); in a minor key it is home base, from romantic ballads to folk songs.
Is the Bbm 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.