Chords in the key of B flat major
The key of B flat major has the notes B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A and the chords B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, and A°. As seventh chords: B♭7M, Cm7, Dm7, E♭7M, F7, Gm7, and Am7(♭5). Key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭). Relative minor: G minor.
- B♭
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A
Chords in B flat major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | B♭ | B♭7M | tonic |
| ii | Cm | Cm7 | subdominant |
| iii | Dm | Dm7 | tonic |
| IV | E♭ | E♭7M | subdominant |
| V | F | F7 | dominant |
| vi | Gm | Gm7 | tonic |
| vii° | A° | Am7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of B flat major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (B♭, Dm, and Gm) feels at rest; subdominant (Cm and E♭) moves away from home; dominant (F and A°) builds tension and wants to go back to B♭.
Common progressions in B flat major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: G minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (2 flats (B♭, E♭)).
Parallel key: B flat minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: E flat major (a fifth below) and F major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
B flat major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for B flat major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of B flat major?
B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, and A°. As seventh chords: B♭7M, Cm7, Dm7, E♭7M, F7, Gm7, and Am7(♭5).
What is the relative of B flat major?
G minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭).
What is the key signature of B flat major?
B flat major has 2 flats (B♭, E♭) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in B flat major?
It is F (or F7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to B♭, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in B flat major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: B♭ F Gm E♭; I–vi–IV–V: B♭ Gm E♭ F; ii7–V7–Imaj7: Cm7 F7 B♭7M; I–IV–V: B♭ E♭ F; vi–IV–I–V: Gm E♭ B♭ F.