B Flat Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of B flat major

The key of B flat major has 2 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭). Its scale is B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G – A and its seven chords are B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm and Adim. The most common progression is B♭ – F – Gm – E♭. Its relative key is G minor. With a capo on fret 1, you can play it with the shapes of A major.

The chords in the key

B♭ is home; E♭ and F create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and Gm adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	B♭	B♭ – D – F	Tonic: home	B♭maj7
ii	Cm	C – E♭ – G	Subdominant	Cm7
iii	Dm	D – F – A	Tonic substitute	Dm7
IV	E♭	E♭ – G – B♭	Subdominant	E♭maj7
V	F	F – A – C	Dominant: tension	F7
vi	Gm	G – B♭ – D	Relative tonic	Gm7
vii°	Adim	A – C – E♭	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G – A

With a capo

To make a song sound in B flat major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 1: play the shapes of A major
Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of G major
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of E major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
B♭ – Gm – E♭ – F I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Cm7 – F7 – B♭maj7 – B♭maj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
B♭ – E♭ – F – B♭ I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of B flat major?

Its seven chords are B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm and Adim.

How many sharps or flats does B flat major have?

It has 2 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭).

What is the relative key of B flat major?

Its relative key is G minor: they share the same notes and chords.