B♭ Major Pentatonic Scale (Bb)
The Bb major pentatonic scale contains Bb – C – D – F – G. It is Bb major without its 4th (Eb) and 7th (A), so it is usually written in the key signature of Bb major: 2 flats: Bb and Eb.
Bb major pentatonic scale chart
Pentatonic and blues scales have no standard book fingering, so none is shown here. Pick fingers that keep your thumb off the black keys.
Bb major pentatonic vs Bb major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Bb | C | D | Eb | F | G | A |
| Pentatonic | Bb | C | D | – | F | G | – |
Eb and A are the two notes of Bb major that sit a half step from a neighbour. Without them the scale has no half steps at all, which is why it is so hard to play a wrong note with it. Its relative is G minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from G.
What Bb major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to Bb major, so it fits over the chords in the key of Bb major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on Bb, D or F, the notes of the Bb chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from Bb | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 1 | root | 0 |
| C | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| D | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| F | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| G | 6 | major 6th | 9 |
Step pattern
The major pentatonic scale is built from the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same scale in a different key.
Key signature
Bb major has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. The pentatonic plays Bb, C, D, F and G, so Eb and A simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with Bb major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bb | Bb D F |
| Bbsus2 | Bb C F |
| Bbmaj6 | Bb D F G |
| Csus2 | C D G |
| Csus4 | C F G |
| Fsus2 | F G C |
| Fsus4 | F Bb C |
| Gm | G Bb D |
| Gm7 | G Bb D F |
| Gsus4 | G C D |
More scales on Bb
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Bb major pentatonic scale?
The Bb major pentatonic scale contains Bb, C, D, F, G, then returns to Bb an octave higher.
Which notes does Bb major pentatonic leave out of Bb major?
The 4th, Eb, and the 7th, A. What remains is Bb, C, D, F, G.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of Bb major pentatonic?
G minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with G as its tonic.
What is the step pattern of the major pentatonic scale?
It follows the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H, where W is a whole step (two semitones), H is a half step (one semitone) and W+H is three semitones.