B flat minor scale on piano
The B flat minor scale on piano has 7 notes: B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G flat, and A flat (B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭). It uses 5 black keys: B♭, D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 2-1-2-3-1-2-3-4; left hand 2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2.
- B♭ B flat 1
- C 2
- D♭ D flat ♭3
- E♭ E flat 4
- F 5
- G♭ G flat ♭6
- A♭ A flat ♭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 minor scale
| Note | B♭ | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G♭ | A♭ | B♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 2-1-2-3-1-2-3-2-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 · Left hand: 2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2
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
- H
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- H
- G♭
- W
- A♭
- W
- B♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the natural minor scale
The "pure" minor scale (Aeolian mode). Sad or introspective; it is the relative of the major scale a minor third above.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | B♭m | B♭m7 | tonic |
| II° | C° | Cm7(b5) | subdominant |
| III | D♭ | D♭7M | tonic |
| IVm | E♭m | E♭m7 | subdominant |
| Vm | Fm | Fm7 | dominant |
| VI | G♭ | G♭7M | subdominant |
| VII | A♭ | A♭7 | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: D flat major 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)
Natural minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B flat minor scale?
The notes of the B flat minor scale are B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G flat, and A flat. It uses 5 black keys: B♭, D♭, E♭, G♭, A♭.
What is the fingering for the B flat minor scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 2-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 and left hand 2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2. Over two octaves: right hand 2-1-2-3-1-2-3-2-1-2-3-1-2-3-4 and left hand 2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2.
What is the formula of the B flat minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the B flat minor scale?
The chords of the key are B♭m, C°, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭, A♭. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.