Bb Harmonic Minor Scale
B flat harmonic minor runs B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G flat, A and back to B flat. B flat natural minor uses A flat instead. Raising only that seventh gives the scale a half-step finish.
- Notes: B flat-C-D flat-E flat-F-G flat-A
- Changed note: A natural
- Key signature: five flats
Where is the unusual gap?
The step from G flat to A natural covers three semitones. Play F-G flat-A-B flat one key at a time. That G-flat-to-A leap, followed by the half-step return, distinguishes this harmonic-minor line from B flat natural minor.
The note A is not a new tonic. It is the raised seventh below B flat, a note whose job becomes especially clear near an ending.
What happens to the fifth chord?
Natural B flat minor gives F-A flat-C, or F minor. Raise A flat to A natural and it becomes F-A-C, or F major. Add E flat for F7. Play Fm-B flat minor, then F7-B flat minor and follow A to B flat in the second pair.
Does the key signature change?
No. B flat minor's signature still has five flats: B, E, A, D and G. The raised A natural is written with a natural sign beside the note. Minor-key pieces can use A flat elsewhere, depending on the melody and chord.
Try a compact phrase
Play B flat-D flat-F-G flat-A-B flat, then end with F-A-C followed by B flat-D flat-F. Listen for the same A natural in the scale and in the F-major chord.