Learning a new scale is not just a means to enhance your knowledge of music theory. It provides you the insight into the distinct moods and flavors of the scale and allows creative freedom. Some of the scales also help you understand the working of the instruments.
In this B flat major scale article, we will cover its theory, intervals, notes, chords, relative & parallel minors, patterns on the fretboard, how to play each pattern, etc.
Read the complete article on the B flat major scale below!
Introduction To B Flat Major scale
Many transposing musical instruments, like Trumpet, Clarinet, Soprano, and Tenor Saxophone, are made in B flat major. Hence the key finds a lot of use in the compositions of concert bands.
It is considered as a key of “Cheerful love, a clear conscience, hope aspiration for a better world.” It was considered by Ernst Pauer to be a favorite key of composers. The list of symphonies in the key of B flat major is attached here.
B Flat Major Scale Notes
The notes of the B Major scale are given by the major scales formula {W W H W W W H}.
- 1st Note – Root – Bb
- 2nd Note – M2 – C
- 3rd Note – M3 – D
- 4th Note – P4 – Eb
- 5th Note – P5 – F
- 6th Note – M6 – G
- 7th Note – M7 – A
The notes of the B Flat Major scale are {Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb(O)}, where Bb(O) is the Bb note one octave higher than the root. A is the leading tone for this scale.
The key signature of the Bb major scale has two flats. Hence to play it on a piano keyboard, you require five black and two white keys.
Diagram
Scale Degrees and Scale Degree Names
| Intervals | Root | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | M7 | P8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1(8) |
| Notes | Bb | C | D | Eb | F | G | A | Bb(O) |
B Flat Major Scale On The Treble And Bass Clef:
Treble Clef:
Bass Clef:
B Flat Major Scale Guitar Positions
You can note the complete B Flat Major Scale in a single line on the A String.
The CAGED patterns for the B Flat Major Scale are shown in the diagram below.
You can see the guitar tabs for the above CAGED patterns in the diagrams below.
E Shaped Scale Pattern
D Shaped Pattern
C Shaped Pattern
A Shaped Pattern
G Shaped Pattern
Fingering Arrangement For Scale Patterns
Chords Of The B Flat Major Key?
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord Designation | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | viidim |
| Scale Degree Names | Tonic | Super-Tonic | Mediant | Sub-Dominant | Dominant | Sub-Mediant | Leading Tone |
| Chord Names | Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | Adim |
| Chord Quality | Major | minor | minor | Major | Major | minor | dim |
The following triad chords result from harmonizing the B Flat major scale.
- Three Major chords – I, IV, and V – Bb, Eb, and F Major chords.
- Three minor chords – ii, iii, and vi – Cm, Dm, and Gm.
- One diminished chord, the vii° – Adim.
- Dominant Chord – 5th scale degree – F Major
- Subdominant Chord – 4th Scale Degree – Eb Major
Note Names In These Triad Chords
| Scale Degrees | Intervals | Chord Notes | Chord Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R – Bb – M3 – D – m3 – F | Bb D F | Bb |
| 2 | R – C – m3 – Eb – M3 – G | C Eb G | Cm |
| 3 | R – D – m3 – F – M3 – A | D F A | Dm |
| 4 | R – Eb – M3 – G – m3 – Bb | Eb G Bb | Eb |
| 5 | R – F – M3 – A – m3 – C | F A C | F |
| 6 | R – G – m3 – Bb – M3 – D | G Bb D | Gm |
| 7 | R – A – m3 – C – m3 – Eb | A C Eb | Adim |
7th Chords Of B Flat Major Scale
| Scale Degrees | Chord Name | Roman N Designation | Chord Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BbMaj7 | IM7 | Bb - D - F - A |
| 2 | Cm7 | iim7 | C - Eb - G - Bb |
| 3 | Dm7 | iiim7 | D - F - A - C |
| 4 | EbMaj7 | IVM7 | Eb - G - Bb - D |
| 5 | F7 | V7 | F – A – C - Eb |
| 6 | Gm7 | vim7 | G – Bb – D - F |
| 7 | Am7b5 | viiø7 | A – C – Eb - G |
Relative & Parallel Minor Of B Flat Major
Relative Minor: G minor scale with its seven notes – {G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, and F}.
Parallel Minor: B Flat natural minor scale with the notes {Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, & Ab.} – Five Flat Notes.
Enharmonic Equivalent: A# Major scale {A#, B#, C𝄪, D#, E#, F𝄪, G𝄪.} – Four sharp and three double sharp notes.
Modes Of B Major Scale
- Bb Ionian.
- C Dorian.
- D Phrygian.
- Eb Lydian.
- F Mixolydian.
- G Aeolian.
- A Locrian.
Songs In The Key Of B Flat Major
Some of the popular songs in the key of B Flat Major Scale are:
- “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce.
- “Purple Rain” by Prince.
- “Hey Jude” by the Beatles.
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John.
- “Roar” by Katy Perry.
- “Fame” by David Bowie.
- “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd.
- “Can’t Let Go” by Mariah Carey.
- “No One in the World” by Anita Baker.
- “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club.
- “Clocks” by Coldplay.
- “Keep on the Sunny Side” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Conclusion
We hope that our article on the B flat major scale has been useful to you. If you have any clarifications to seek on the topic or want to share your experience with the scale, kindly provide your comments in the section below.
