Chords in the Key of B♭ Major (Bb)
The key of Bb major is built on the notes Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in Bb major
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Bb | Bb D F | Major |
| ii | Cm | C Eb G | Minor |
| iii | Dm | D F A | Minor |
| IV | Eb | Eb G Bb | Major |
| V | F | F A C | Major |
| vi | Gm | G Bb D | Minor |
| vii° | Adim | A C Eb | Diminished |
Seventh chords in Bb major
Adding the next third on top of each triad gives the seventh chords of the key — the harmonic vocabulary most jazz and soul writing starts from.
| Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Bbmaj7 | Bb D F A |
| ii7 | Cm7 | C Eb G Bb |
| iii7 | Dm7 | D F A C |
| IVmaj7 | Ebmaj7 | Eb G Bb D |
| V7 | F7 | F A C Eb |
| vi7 | Gm7 | G Bb D F |
| viiø7 | Am7b5 | A C Eb G |
Common chord progressions in Bb major
| Numerals | Chords in Bb major | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | Bb – F – Gm – Eb | The most common progression in modern pop music. |
| I – IV – V – I | Bb – Eb – F – Bb | The classic three-chord cadence used across blues, folk and rock. |
| ii – V – I | Cm – F – Bb | The backbone of jazz harmony. |
| vi – IV – I – V | Gm – Eb – Bb – F | A softer, minor-flavoured rotation of the pop progression. |
Relative minor key
Bb major shares all of its notes with G minor, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. See G minor.
Scale reference
See the full Bb Major scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern.
Other scales for this key: Bb major pentatonic.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of Bb major?
The key of Bb major contains Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim. These are the triads built on each degree of the Bb major scale.
What is the relative minor of Bb major?
The relative minor of Bb major is G minor. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic.
How many sharps or flats does Bb major have?
The Bb major scale is spelled Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, which gives it 0 sharps and 2 flats.