The key of B♭ minor has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). The notes of the scale are B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭ and its diatonic chords are Bbm, C°, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb, Ab.
B♭ minor scale
Natural minor scale: B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭ · A · B♭
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bbm | B♭ D♭ F | |
| ii° | C° | C E♭ G♭ | |
| III | Db | D♭ F A♭ | |
| iv | Ebm | E♭ G♭ B♭ | |
| v | Fm | F A♭ C | |
| VI | Gb | G♭ B♭ D♭ | |
| VII | Ab | A♭ C E♭ | |
| V | F | F A C |
In practice, minor keys almost always use F (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Bbm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bbm7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | |
| ii° | Cm7(b5) | C E♭ G♭ B♭ | |
| III | Db7M | D♭ F A♭ C | |
| iv | Ebm7 | E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭ | |
| v | Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | |
| VI | Gb7M | G♭ B♭ D♭ F | |
| VII | Ab7 | A♭ C E♭ G♭ | |
| V7 | F7 | F A C E♭ |
Common progressions in B♭ minor
- Bbm – Ebm – F – Bbm (i – iv – V – i)
- Bbm – Gb – Db – Ab (i – VI – III – VII)
- C° – F – Bbm (ii° – V – i)
- Bbm – Ab – Gb – F (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of B♭ minor is D♭ major: same notes, starting from D♭.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of B♭ minor?
In the natural minor: Bbm, C°, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb, Ab. In practice the major F is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (A); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (G and A) going up.
What is the relative major of B♭ minor?
D♭ major, which uses the same notes.