Scales in the Key of B-Flat

Click on the scale name for a diagram and explanation of each scale type:

B-FLAT MAJOR SCALE

The B-flat major scale contains seven notes and starts and ends on B♭. Major scales are arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

B-FLAT NATURAL MINOR SCALE

The B-flat natural minor scale follows the key signature of its relative major: D-flat major. In natural minor scales, there are no additional accidentals.

The relative major key of B-flat minor is D-flat major. Therefore, B-flat minor has five flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).

Keyboard diagram of B-flat natural minor scale with keys highlighted in red and labelled.

TIP: To find the relative major key, count up three half-steps from the minor key’s root note.

B-FLAT HARMONIC MINOR SCALE

Harmonic minor scales follow the key signature of the relative major key and raise the seventh note of the scale by one half-step.

The relative major key of B-flat minor is D-flat major and the seventh note of B-flat minor is A♭. Therefore, B-flat harmonic minor has five flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭) but A♭ is raised to A.

Keyboard diagram of B-flat harmonic minor scale with keys highlighted in red and labelled.

B-FLAT MELODIC MINOR SCALE

In melodic minor scales, we raise the sixth and seventh notes up one half-step when ascending and lower them back down when descending. Melodic minor scales follow the key signature of the scale’s relative major.

The relative major key of B-flat minor is D-flat major. Therefore, B-flat minor has five flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭) and G♭ and A♭ are the sixth and seventh notes. We raise G♭ and A♭ to G and A when ascending the melodic minor scale, and we lower them back to G♭ and A♭ when descending.

Ascending

Descending

B-FLAT MAJOR PENTATONIC SCALE

The B-flat major pentatonic is a five-note scale built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.

B-FLAT MINOR PENTATONIC SCALE

The B-flat minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7.

You can also think of the B-flat minor pentatonic as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7.

Keyboard diagram of B-flat minor pentatonic scale with keys highlighted in red and labelled.

B-FLAT MAJOR BLUES SCALE

The B-flat major blues scale is built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6.

B-FLAT MINOR BLUES SCALE

The B-flat minor blues scale is built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, ♭5, 5, 7.

You can also think of the B-flat minor blues scale as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7.

Keyboard diagram of a B flat minor blues scale with keys highlighted in red and labeled.

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