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B♭ major (B♭) on guitar

The B♭ major scale consists of the notes B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G – A and has 2 flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

B♭ majorMajor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in B♭ major

Common progression: B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ (I–V–vi–IV).

Quick overview

Root note
B♭
Mode
major
Key signature
2 flats
Pentatonic
B♭ C D F G
Relative key
G minor

Well-known songs in B♭ major

  • Drivers LicenseOlivia Rodrigo
  • Johnny B. GoodeChuck Berry
  • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaThe Beatles
  • Purple RainPrince
  • Red HouseJimi Hendrix
  • Rocket ManElton John

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play B♭ in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • A shapearound fret 1 · root on A string, fret 1
  • G shapearound fret 3 · root on low E string, fret 6
  • E shapearound fret 6 · root on low E string, fret 6
  • D shapearound fret 8 · root on D string, fret 8
  • C shapearound fret 10 · root on A string, fret 13

Learn B♭ major in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note B♭

    Find B♭ on the low E string (fret 6) and on the A string (fret 1). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: B♭ (I), E♭ (IV) and F (V). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The major pentatonic (B♭ C D F G) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 3 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (E♭ and A) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of Bes majeur: B♭ C D E♭ F G A.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on B♭ and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing B♭ major with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for B♭ major

  1. Start with the major pentatonic scale (B♭ C D F G). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root B♭ on the low E string, fret 6.
  2. End your phrases on the root B♭ for a resolved feeling, or on the third D and fifth F for tension.
  3. Add the blue note D♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the F chord (the V) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.

Frequently asked questions about B♭ major

Which notes are in Bes majeur?

Bes majeur (B♭) consists of the notes B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A. The key signature has 2 flats.

Which chords fit Bes majeur?

The diatonic chords in Bes majeur are B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm, Adim. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of Bes majeur?

The relative key is G minor. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in Bes majeur?

Use the major pentatonic scale: B♭, C, D, F, G. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find B♭ on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 and on the A string at fret 1, among other places.