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Bb Major Chord

Bb major uses B flat, D and F. At the end of a B-flat phrase it can settle the music; before E flat it creates an expectation of another chord. The same grip can do both.

  • Notes: B flat-D-F
  • Symbol: Bb
  • Home chord of B flat major
  • Leads to E flat
Switch chordBb

How to play a Bb major chord

Notes: Bb - D - F · symbol Bb

  • Root position

    Bb - D - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    D - F - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F - Bb - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Bb major belong?

All three notes come from the B flat major scale, so Bb major is the home chord of that key.
Press play on the role cards to hear the same chord do different jobs elsewhere; Diatonic Chords explains the numbered roles.

  • In Bb majorHome
    I

    A song in Bb major keeps coming back to this chord.

    EbIVFVBbI
  • In Eb majorTension
    V

    It pulls back to Eb: D wants to rise one half step to E flat.

    EbIAbIVBbVEbI
  • In F majorA step away
    IV

    A warm move away from F, softer than the V that follows.

    FIBbIVCVFI
  • In Eb minorMinor-key dominant
    V

    Harmonic minor raises the third to D, so Ebm sounds truly finished.

    EbmiAbmivBbVEbmi

Progressions to try

  • BbEbFBb

    I-IV-V-I in B flat major returns home after F.

  • BbFGmEb

    The I-V-vi-IV loop visits G minor before E flat turns it around.

  • EbAbBbEb

    Bb acts as V of E flat; hear the release into Eb.

  • EbmAbmBbEbm

    Bb is the major V in E flat minor, with D natural leading to Eb.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, The x13331 barre keeps Bb low on the neck. Choose 688766 at the 6th fret when the surrounding chords sit higher.

On ukulele, 3211 keeps Bb low on the neck; 7565 moves it to a higher register.

On piano, choose the first inversion when coming from the nearby chord E flat-G-B flat. Play Bb as D-F-B flat: B flat stays in place while E flat moves to D and G moves to F.

What are the inversions?

B flat is the root. D is the major third, four semitones above it; F is the fifth, seven semitones above it.

  • Root position: B flat-D-F, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: D-F-B flat, written Bb/D when D is the lowest note.
  • Second inversion: F-B flat-D, written Bb/F when F is the lowest note.

A separate bass instrument can change the lowest note even when the right hand plays an inversion. Chord Inversions explains what the slash tells the player.

How does Bb minor differ?

Keep B flat and F; lower only D to D flat. The result is B flat-D flat-F, the Bb minor chord. Use the comparer to hear that single change before judging the whole sound.

  • Bb

    Bb - D - F
    C4

    Bb major

  • Bbm

    Bb - Db - F
    C4

    Bb minor

Try another chord