B flat minor scale

On the keys

Yellow is the starting note, and the same note again an octave up.

On the staff

One octave of B flat minor, with the key signature at the start of each staff. B flat minor has five flats in its key signature: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat and G flat. The right hand reads the treble clef; the left plays the same notes two octaves lower, on the bass clef.

Fingering

One octave going up. The thumb is 1 and the little finger is 5. Coming down, play the same fingers in reverse order.

Key signature

B flat minor has five flats in its key signature: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat and G flat. This is the natural minor, so it uses the key signature of its relative major, D flat major.

Harmonic and melodic minor

The natural minor is one of three minor scales. The harmonic minor raises the seventh note by a semitone, which gives B flat minor a leading note a semitone below the top: B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G flat and A. The melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh notes going up: B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, G and A. Coming down it goes back to the natural minor.

Keep going

Questions