Chords in the key of B flat minor
The key of B flat minor (natural minor) has the notes B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, and A♭ and the chords B♭m, C°, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, and A♭. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone A: F (F7) and A°. Key signature: 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). Relative major: D flat major.
- B♭
- C
- D♭
- E♭
- F
- G♭
- A♭
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Fm) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | B♭m | B♭m7 | tonic |
| ii° | C° | Cm7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | D♭ | D♭7M | tonic |
| iv | E♭m | E♭m7 | subdominant |
| v | Fm | Fm7 | dominant |
| VI | G♭ | G♭7M | subdominant |
| VII | A♭ | A♭7 | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
Harmonic minor (the V7 and vii°)
The 7th note is raised a half step (A): the V becomes major (F, or F7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (A°). These are the chords minor-key songs use to get back to the tonic.
Melodic minor
The 6th and 7th are raised a half step: the ii becomes minor (Cm) and the IV becomes major (E♭). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of B flat minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (B♭m and D♭) feels at rest; subdominant (C°, E♭m, and G♭) moves away from home; dominant (F and A°) builds tension and wants to go back to B♭m.
Common progressions in B flat minor
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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Andalusian cadence
i–VII–VI–VA dramatic descent from flamenco, widely used in rock and Latin music.
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Basic minor
i–iv–V7Im–IVm–V7: the essentials of a minor key; the V7 brings the tension of the harmonic minor scale.
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IIm7(♭5)–V7–Im
iiø7–V7–i7The jazz and bolero cadence in a minor key.
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Epic minor pop
i–VI–III–VIIIm–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: a grand chorus in a minor key.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative major: D flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭)).
Parallel key: B flat major, 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: D sharp minor (a fifth below) and F minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
B flat minor 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 minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of B flat minor?
B♭m, C°, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, and A♭. As seventh chords: B♭m7, Cm7(♭5), D♭7M, E♭m7, Fm7, G♭7M, and A♭7.
What is the relative of B flat minor?
D flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).
What is the key signature of B flat minor?
B flat minor has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭) in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in B flat minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Fm) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (A, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes F (F7), which resolves strongly to B♭m.
What chord progressions work in B flat minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: B♭m A♭ G♭ F; i–iv–V7: B♭m E♭m F7; iiø7–V7–i7: Cm7(♭5) F7 B♭m7; i–VI–III–VII: B♭m G♭ D♭ A♭.