Bb major has 2 ♭ (Bb, Eb) in its key signature.
The Bb major scale is: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb.
The diatonic chords are Bb (I), Cm (ii), Dm (iii), Eb (IV), F (V), Gm (vi) and Adim (vii°). The main functions are Bb (tonic), Eb (subdominant) and F (dominant).
The relative minor is G minor. In the circle of fifths, Eb major (a fifth lower) and F major (a fifth higher) sit right next to Bb major.
On Bb instruments such as the Bb clarinet and the Bb trumpet, a written C major sounds as Bb major. That is why Bb major is very common in wind music. Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata (Op. 106) is in Bb major.
All keys at a glance
Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.
Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth
Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats
Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby
| Key | Key signature | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C majorA minor | none | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| G majorE minor | 1 ♯F# | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
| D majorB minor | 2 ♯F#, C# | D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm | C#dim |
| A majorF# minor | 3 ♯F#, C#, G# | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#dim |
| E majorC# minor | 4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D# | E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m | D#dim |
| B majorG# minor | 5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A# | B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m | A#dim |
| F# majorD# minor | 6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# | F# | G#m | A#m | B | C# | D#m | E#dim |
| C# majorA# minor | 7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# | C# | D#m | E#m | F# | G# | A#m | B#dim |
| F majorD minor | 1 ♭Bb | F | Gm | Am | Bb | C | Dm | Edim |
| Bb majorG minor | 2 ♭Bb, Eb | Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | Adim |
| Eb majorC minor | 3 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab | Eb | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb | Cm | Ddim |
| Ab majorF minor | 4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db | Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb | Fm | Gdim |
| Db majorBb minor | 5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm | Cdim |
| Gb majorEb minor | 6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb | Gb | Abm | Bbm | Cb | Db | Ebm | Fdim |
| Cb majorAb minor | 7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb | Cb | Dbm | Ebm | Fb | Gb | Abm | Bbdim |
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