Notes and intervals of B♭ major
- B♭1 · root
- D3 · major third
- F5 · perfect fifth
It's the basic chord of almost any song: it works as a point of arrival (the tonic) and as a passing chord.
Progressions with B♭
The basic progression: I – IV – V – I
With these three chords you can play along to hundreds of songs in B♭ major.
The pop progression: I – V – vi – IV
It's the backbone of a huge number of ballads, pop songs and reggaeton hits.
Which keys contain B♭ major?
B♭ belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| E♭ major | V |
| F major | IV |
| B♭ major | I |
| C natural minor | VII |
| D natural minor | VI |
| G natural minor | III |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B-flat major chord?
B♭ major (B♭) has 3 notes: B♭ (root), D (major third), F (perfect fifth).
How do you play B♭ major on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 1: x 1 3 3 3 1 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 1 with your index finger, from the 5th to the 1st string. Finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 4th string (D). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 2nd string (B). Do not play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
Is B♭ the same as A♯?
Yes: B♭ major and A♯ major sound the same and are played the same way (they are enharmonic). The spelling depends on the key of the song; you'll see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
What is the difference between B♭ major and B♭ minor?
Only the third changes: B♭ major uses D, and B♭ minor uses D♭. That note is what makes the chord sound bright (major) or darker (minor).
How do you write B♭ major in chord notation?
It is written B♭; you may also see B♭M or B♭maj. Letter notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A, and B for the notes.