B Flat Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of B flat minor

The key of B flat minor has 5 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). Its scale is B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ and its seven chords are B♭m, Cdim, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭ and A♭. The most common progression is B♭m – G♭ – D♭ – A♭. Its relative key is D flat major. With a capo on fret 1, you can play it with the shapes of A minor.

The chords in the key

B♭m is home and E♭m darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Fm, resolves softly; swap it for F7 and it pulls hard towards B♭m. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	B♭m	B♭ – D♭ – F	Tonic: home	B♭m7
ii°	Cdim	C – E♭ – G♭	Subdominant	—
III	D♭	D♭ – F – A♭	Relative major	D♭maj7
iv	E♭m	E♭ – G♭ – B♭	Subdominant	E♭m7
v	Fm	F – A♭ – C	Minor dominant	Fm7
VI	G♭	G♭ – B♭ – D♭	Subdominant (epic colour)	G♭maj7
VII	A♭	A♭ – C – E♭	Subtonic	A♭7

Scale

B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭

With a capo

To make a song sound in B flat minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 1: play the shapes of A minor
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of E minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

B♭m – G♭ – D♭ – A♭ i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
B♭m – E♭m – Fm – B♭m i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
B♭m – A♭ – G♭ – F i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
B♭m – E♭m – F7 – B♭m i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of B flat minor?

Its seven chords are B♭m, Cdim, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭ and A♭.

How many sharps or flats does B flat minor have?

It has 5 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).

What is the relative key of B flat minor?

Its relative key is D flat major: they share the same notes and chords.