i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of Bb Minor
The Key of B♭ Minor
The chords in the key of B♭ minor are B♭m, Cdim, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭ and A♭.
The funeral-march key.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (B♭ · E♭ · A♭ · D♭ · G♭), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of B♭ minor
Each degree of the B♭ minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | B♭mB♭ · D♭ · F | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | CdimC · E♭ · G♭ | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | D♭D♭ · F · A♭ | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | E♭mE♭ · G♭ · B♭ | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | FmF · A♭ · C | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | G♭F♯ · A♯ · C♯spelled G♭ in Bb minor · the chord page is F♯ Major | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | A♭A♭ · C · E♭ |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in B♭ minor
Chopin's Second Sonata gave Bb minor its reputation, and jazz ballads kept it: five flats lie well on piano and read easily for Bb instruments. On guitar it is barres or a capo at the first fret with A-minor shapes. Few keys sound this heavy while staying this singable.
Scale
The B♭ minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The B♭ minor key signature
B♭ · E♭ · A♭ · D♭ · G♭
B♭ minor is written with 5 flats. Every B, E, A, D and G in the music is played flat unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, D♭ major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in B♭ minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into B♭ minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of B♭ minor
- What chords are in the key of Bb minor?
- The key of Bb minor contains seven diatonic chords: Bbm (i), Cdim (ii°), Db (III), Ebm (iv), Fm (v), Gb (VI), Ab (VII). Most songs in Bb minor lean on Bbm, Ebm and Fm — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of Bb minor?
- Db major is the relative major of Bb minor. Both keys share the same key signature (5 flats) and exactly the same seven notes — Db major simply treats Db as home instead of Bb, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in Bb minor to play on guitar?
- Bb minor has no open guitar shapes — every diatonic chord needs a barre or a movable grip in standard tuning. Most guitarists capo and play open shapes from an easier key instead.
Learn the theory
Read up on B♭ minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.