B Flat Major Scale on Piano
Notes, Fingering & How To Play It
The B flat major scale on piano is an interesting one to play mainly due to the unique fingering you need to use to play it. It doesn't have many black notes - only 2 - but their locations mean we need to move on from basic scale fingering and use fingering or finger patterns just for this scale.
Here you'll learn:
- how to play the Bb scale
- the notes of the Bb major scale
- fingering for the right hand (on piano)
- fingering for the left hand
- the key signature of B flat major
- a bit about the Bb major chord
- what to practice!
B Flat Major Scale - Video Tutorial
Notes of the Bb Major Scale
The B flat major scale starts and ends on Bb. It has 2 black notes in it's key signature - Bb and Eb.
The key of Bb has Bb and Eb.
The notes of the Bb major scale are: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb
Notes of B Flat Major ScalePiano Fingering for Bb Major Scale
The fingering for the B flat major scale on piano is unique for both the right hand and left hand. So each one should be learned on it's own in the beginning before trying to play hands together. (Get that muscle memory down!)
One of the different things is that right hand will start on finger 2 and then cross 1 under right away. Left hand will start on finger 3 but end on finger 2. So it's really a different one.
Right hand fingering for Bb Major Scale:
Right hand fingering: 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 4
B Flat Major Scale on Piano - Treble Clef / Right Hand FingeringThe left hand is also unique and has it's own finger patterns.
Left hand fingering for B flat major scale on piano:
Left hand: 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 2
B Flat Major Scale on Piano Fingering for Bass Clef / Left HandPutting the Bb Scale Hands Together
When putting this scale hands together, you really need to be able to play them hands separately without stopping to think about your fingering and notes first. Once you feel very comfortable and can play it without really thinking about it, you can start putting it together.
Here are some tips for playing the B flat major scale hands together:
- start extremely slow (think slug pace)
- take one note at a time going up only
- go back down and concentrate on getting the fingering right especially on the turn around
- keep going really slowly
- don't speed up until you can play the scale evenly, without stopping to check your fingers at your slow pace
- be patient with yourself - this ones tricky to begin with!
The B flat major scale is not a beginner scale so take that into account when learning it. It's like everything else, it takes time and practice to learn.
Resource for Piano Scales:
Fingering for all scales - especially more unique ones like Bb major, can be found in the Complete Book of Scales, Chords and Arpeggios here on Amazon (this is an affiliate link that will earn a tiny commission).
This is a handy resource when learning scales (and also arpeggios).
B Flat Major Scale Fingering Up & Down
If you're playing this scale going up and back down, use the following fingering to help you.
Here are pictures / diagrams of the Bb major scale on piano going both up and back down for the treble clef and right hand and the bass clef and left hand.
Right hand fingering for Bb major scale on piano
B flat major scale piano fingering for left handThe Key Signature of B Flat Major
Now that you know the B flat major scale, you also know the key signature of B flat major. If the scale as 2 flats, the key does.
The key of B flat has 2 flats: Bb and Eb.
(The order of the first 4 flats spells the word BEAD, so we have the first 2 letters of the word here.)
Understand the Bb Chord from the Bb Scale
Another thing we can learn from this scale is the Bb major chord - which is written as just Bb.
A major chord is built off of the first, third and fifth notes of the scale.
When you look at the scale you can see:
1st note = Bb
3rd note = D
5th note = F
Those 3 notes make the Bb chord. Bb = Bb D F
You can also see here why a Bb suspended chord has a flat. The suspended chord formula is the 1st, 4th and 5th notes of a major scale. So that means Bbsus (B flat suspended chord) would have Bb, Eb and F as it's notes.
Free Download:
Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet
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What To Practice?
If you've never played the B flat major scale on piano before, you can give it a try this week!
I'd recommend playing it hands separately and going up and back down.
You can also play the B flat major chord at the end of your scale.
If you need more help with fingering for scale, I recommend the book: Complete Book of Scales, Chords and Arpeggios here on Amazon (this is an affiliate link).
You can also find more scale on the Major Scales Page.
More pages that might help:
All 12 Major Scales
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What is the formula for piano scales? Cracking the Code
Understanding scales opens up a big musical world. So what is the formula for piano scales? Find out for any major or minor scale.
Bass Clef Scales ((Major Scales)
The bass clef scales written with their key signatures and note names.
C Major Scale On Piano: Notes, Fingering & How To
How to play the C major scale on the piano with fingering for piano, the notes of the scale and how to play it.
11 Different Ways To Practice Piano Scales
There are lots of different ways you can practice scales depending on your level. Here are 11 great ways to practice your scales.
F Major Scale on Piano: Notes, Fingering & How To Play It
How to play F major scale on the piano with notes of the scale, fingering or finger patterns for piano and pictures!
G Major Scale on Piano: Notes & Fingering
The G major scale on piano with notes in treble and bass clefs and fingering / finger patterns.
A Major Scale On Piano, How To with Notes & Fingering
How to play A major scale (with sharps) on piano. Notes, video and fingering to help you get playing.
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A Flat Major Scale on Piano, Fingering, Notes & How To
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List of Musical Scales
A list of musical scales including major, minor, and chromatic scales ((plus a few more).
Piano Scales For Beginners: Easily Get Started Playing Scales
Just learning? Here are the piano scales for beginners to start with along with essential info you need to understand.
Master Scale Fingering For Piano in 5 Steps
Here is the basic scale fingering for piano that you can use for many of the major and minor scales on piano.
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Free Download:
Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet
Subscribe below and get free access to the (printable) Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheet.