Ways to play B♭m
Lowest on the neck first. Tap a shape to put it on the fretboard above and hear it. The numbers are fingers (1 is your index), × means leave that string out, and ○ means let it ring open.
What's in B♭m
A minor chord lowers the 3rd by a half step: root, minor 3rd (three half steps) and perfect 5th. B♭ minor is B♭, D♭ and F. Next to B♭ major, the only note that moves is the 3rd, D down to D♭.
| Note | Formula | Interval from B♭ |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ | 1 | Root |
| D♭ | ♭3 | Minor 3rd |
| F | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Darker and more inward than major. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor; in a minor key the i and usually the iv are.
The key of B♭ minor
Five flats, the relative minor of D♭. Rare on guitar; capo 1 with Am shapes is the practical route.
The seven chords built from the B♭ minor scale:
Keys that use B♭m
Every major and minor key whose scale contains all of B♭, D♭ and F, and the chord's Roman numeral in each.
| Key | B♭m is the |
|---|---|
| B♭ minor | i |
| F minor | iv |
| E♭ minor | v |
| A♭ major | ii |
| D♭ major | vi |
| F♯ major | iii |
Progressions to try
i–iv–v in B♭ minor
Minor-key blues and folk. Swap the v for a major V when you want a stronger pull home.
i–VI–III–VII in B♭ minor
The minor-key cousin of I–V–vi–IV: the same four chords, started from the minor one.
Related chords
The relative major is D♭, which shares its key signature. The parallel major is B♭, same root with the 3rd raised.
Other chords on B♭: