Key

The key of B♭ major · 2 flats: B♭ E♭

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Relative minor: G minor — the same notes and key signature. Parallel minor: B♭ minor. Scale: B♭ major scale.

Notes in the key

B♭CDE♭FGA

Chords in B♭ major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I B♭

B♭ D F

ii Cm

C E♭ G

iii Dm

D F A

IV E♭

E♭ G B♭

V F

F A C

vi Gm

G B♭ D

vii° Adim

A C E♭

Common progressions in B♭ major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV B♭ – E♭ – F – E♭ The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V B♭ – Gm – E♭ – F The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues B♭7 – E♭7 – F7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I Cm7 – F7 – B♭maj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V B♭ – Gm – Cm – F Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V B♭ – F – Gm – Dm – E♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I B♭ – A♭ – E♭ – B♭

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so B♭ major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.