B flat major scale on piano
The B flat major scale on piano has 7 notes: B flat, C, D, E flat, F, G, and A (B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A). It uses 2 black keys: B♭, E♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4; left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
- B♭ B flat 1
- C 2
- D 3
- E♭ E flat 4
- F 5
- G 6
- A 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (B♭) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the B flat major scale
| Note | B♭ | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A | B♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 · Left hand: 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- W
- A
- H
- B♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major scale
The foundation of Western music (Ionian mode). Happy and stable; the chords of the major key come from it.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | B♭ | B♭7M | tonic |
| IIm | Cm | Cm7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | Dm | Dm7 | tonic |
| IV | E♭ | E♭7M | subdominant |
| V | F | F7 | dominant |
| VIm | Gm | Gm7 | tonic |
| VII° | A° | Am7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: G minor scale . Same notes, different center.
More B flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (A♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Major in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B flat major scale?
The notes of the B flat major scale are B flat, C, D, E flat, F, G, and A. It uses 2 black keys: B♭, E♭.
What is the fingering for the B flat major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3. Over two octaves: right hand 4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
What is the formula of the B flat major scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the B flat major scale?
The chords of the key are B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, A°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.