Chords in the Key of B♭ Minor (Bb)
The key of Bb minor is built on the notes Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in Bb minor
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bbm | Bb Db F | Minor |
| ii° | Cdim | C Eb Gb | Diminished |
| III | Db | Db F Ab | Major |
| iv | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb | Minor |
| v | Fm | F Ab C | Minor |
| VI | Gb | Gb Bb Db | Major |
| VII | Ab | Ab C Eb | Major |
Seventh chords in Bb minor
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 |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Bbm7 | Bb Db F Ab |
| iiø7 | Cm7b5 | C Eb Gb Bb |
| IIImaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Db F Ab C |
| iv7 | Ebm7 | Eb Gb Bb Db |
| v7 | Fm7 | F Ab C Eb |
| VImaj7 | Gbmaj7 | Gb Bb Db F |
| VII7 | Ab7 | Ab C Eb Gb |
Common chord progressions in Bb minor
| Numerals | Chords in Bb minor | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | Bbm – Gb – Db – Ab | A bright, anthemic minor progression. |
| i – iv – v | Bbm – Ebm – Fm | The natural-minor equivalent of the classic cadence. |
| i – VII – VI – VII | Bbm – Ab – Gb – Ab | A modal, folk-leaning loop. |
| i – iv – VII – III | Bbm – Ebm – Ab – Db | Moves toward the relative major for a lift. |
Relative major key
Bb minor shares all of its notes with Db major, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. Db major and C# major are the same pitches written two ways; this reference files that key under C# major.
Scale reference
See the full Bb Natural Minor scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern. The same key is also written A# minor.
Other scales for this key: Bb harmonic minor, Bb melodic minor, Bb minor pentatonic and Bb blues.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of Bb minor?
The key of Bb minor contains Bbm, Cdim, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb, Ab. These are the triads built on each degree of the Bb minor scale.
What is the relative major of Bb minor?
The relative major of Bb minor is Db major. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic. Db major and C# major are the same pitches spelled two ways; this reference files that key under C# major.
How many sharps or flats does Bb minor have?
The Bb minor scale is spelled Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, which gives it 0 sharps and 5 flats.