Learn all about the B-flat minor piano scale, including its notes, diatonic chords, finger positions, and songs in this key
With five flats, B♭ minor may seem like a challenging scale to learn, but our piano tutorial will guide you step-by-step so you can feel confident playing the scale and chords in this key. Here’s what you’ll discover about B♭ minor in this article:
- Musical history of the B♭ minor scale
- What notes to play on the keyboard for the B♭ minor scale
- The key signature for B♭ minor
- How the B♭ minor scale looks written on the treble staff
- The fingering for the one-octave B♭ natural minor scale
- The natural, harmonic, and melodic forms of the B♭ minor scale
- How to play chords on the piano in B♭ minor
- Some songs to learn and listen to in B♭ minor
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Interesting background on the B-flat minor scale
The B-flat minor scale has a distinctive dramatic character and has been used throughout the world of music. Here are some interesting points about the B-flat minor scale:
- Usage in classical music: B-flat minor is not one of the more common keys in classical music, partly because of the number of flats in the key signature. However, it has a great sound that has been used effectively in some very famous works. For example, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the most famous piano concertos, is in B-flat minor. Other notable works in this key include Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2, which includes the famous funeral march, and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in B-flat minor, Op. 32, No. 2.
- Historical context: Composers have used this key to convey specific emotional or atmospheric qualities. It has been particularly effective in romantic and expressive compositions, as it’s often associated with deep emotions and a sense of tragedy or melancholy. This makes it an excellent choice for expressing profound sorrow, introspection, or dramatic intensity.
- Adaptation in various genres: Beyond classical music, B-flat minor has been used in jazz, film scores, and contemporary music. It evokes a deeply emotional or somber mood, making it suitable for expressive and poignant music. Its distinctive sound can add a unique character to music in these genres.
What are the notes of the B-flat minor scale?
Every minor scale has three versions; natural, harmonic, and melodic.
The scale of B♭ natural minor starts on B♭ and has five flats in its key signature. The notes are B♭ (B-flat), C, D♭ (D-flat), E♭ (E-flat), F, G♭ (G-flat), A♭ (A-flat) and B♭.
To play the B♭ harmonic minor scale, simply raise the seventh tone of the scale from A♭ to A. This creates what’s known as a leading tone, a note that’s only a half step below the tonic; in this case, A being a half step below B♭. In melodies and chords, this leading tone provides a tension that makes the ear hungry for the resolution back to the tonic of the scale. It leads the music home.
To play the B♭ melodic minor scale, raise both the sixth and seventh tones of the scale a half step, G♭ to G and A♭ to A. The melodic minor scale is unusual in that it’s played with the sixth and seventh tones raised when the scale is ascending and lowered back when descending. So a descending melodic minor scale is the same as natural minor.
What is the key signature for the B-flat minor scale?
The B♭ minor scale has five flats in its key signature, B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, and G♭.
What is the relative major of the B-flat minor scale?
Relative keys share the same key signature, but have a different tonic, or starting note. B♭ minor is the relative minor of D♭ major, sharing the same key signature of five flats.
Parallel keys have different key signatures, but have the same tonic. For B♭ minor, the parallel major is B♭ major, which has only two flats in its key signature.
How do you play the B-flat minor scale on piano?
Right-hand placement for the B-flat minor scale when going up:
4 on B♭
Pass the thumb under
1 on C
2 on D♭
3 on E♭
Pass the thumb under
1 on F
2 on G♭
3 on A♭
4 on B♭
Left-hand placement for the B-flat minor scale:
2 on B♭
1 on C
Cross the 3rd finger over
3 on D♭
2 on E♭
1 on F
Cross the 4th finger over
4 on G♭
3 on A♭
2 on B♭
When coming down the B-flat minor scale, reverse the finger order like this:
Right hand:
4 on B♭
3 on A♭
2 on G♭
1 on F
Cross the 3rd finger over
3 on E♭
2 on D♭
1 on C
Cross the 4th finger over
4 on B♭
Left hand:
2 on B♭
3 on A♭
4 on G♭
Pass the thumb under
1 on F
2 on E♭
3 on D♭
Pass the thumb under
1 on C
2 on B♭
For tips on how to memorize and play scales with hands together, see our All Piano Scales Guide.
Diatonic chords in the key of B-flat minor: piano tips
Here are the chords based on each note of the B-flat minor scale:
B♭m (B-flat minor – i): B♭ – D♭ – F
Cdim (C diminished – ii°): C – E♭ – G♭
D♭maj (D-flat major – III): D♭ – F – A♭
E♭m (E-flat minor – iv): E♭ – G♭ – B♭
Fm (F minor – v): F – A♭ – C ** If using the B♭harmonic minor scale, the V chord is F Major (F – A – C)
G♭maj (G-flat major – VI): G♭ – B♭ – D♭
A♭maj (A-flat major – VII): A♭ – C – E♭ ** If using B♭harmonic minor, the vii chord is A diminished (A – C – E♭)
If you’d like some handy reference guides for chords and triads in all keys, download these free resources from the Hoffman Academy Store:
Songs to play on the piano in the key of B-flat minor
Since B♭ minor is a more advanced key signature, you won’t find much sheet music for beginners in this key. For early advanced piano players, try Variation 5 on a Theme by Handel by Johannes Brahms. This one-page piece features dazzling left hand arpeggios and an expressive melody that explores the dramatic nature of B♭ minor. The sheet music is free to download for Hoffman Academy premium members, or can be purchased separately.
Enjoy listening to these famous songs and pieces in B♭ minor:
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1
- Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2
- Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in B-flat minor, Op. 32, No. 2
- Kiss from a Rose by Seal
We hope you’ve had fun exploring the B-flat minor piano scale! To learn more about minor scales and how to play them, check out Hoffman Academy’s Minor Scales Fingering Guide.
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