To play the B flat major chord, begin by locating the note B-flat, which is the black key immediately to the left of B. Once you’ve found it, combine B flat with D and F to create the B flat major chord.
B flat major notes
The notes in a Bb major chord are Bb, D and F.
These notes are called: the root (Bb), third (D) and fifth(F). Together, they create a bright and strong sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- F – Fifth finger (5)
- D – Third finger (3)
- Bb – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- F – Thumb (1)
- D – Third finger (3)
- Bb – Fifth finger (5)
The inversions of Bb major chord
The inversions of the B flat major piano chord are formed by rearranging the order in which the notes are played. Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you emphasize each note of the chord.
The B flat major chord has two inversions:
- Bb major first inversion places Bb at the top of the chord, leaving D as the lowest note.
- Bb major second inversion places both Bb and D at the top, leaving F as the lowest note.
Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on piano.
How to play the first inversion of B flat major?
To play the first inversion of the B flat major piano chord, start with D as the lowest note. Next, play F above it and finally add Bb as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound, great for more interesting transitions between chords.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Bb – Fifth finger (5)
- F – Second finger(2)
- D – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Bb – Thumb (1)
- F – Third finger (3)
- D – Fifth finger (5)
How to play the second inversion of B flat major?
To play the second inversion of the B flat major piano chord, start with F as the lowest note. Then play Bb above it and finally add D as the highest note. This inversion is ideal for creating a sense of movement in your chord progressions.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- D – Fifth finger (5)
- Bb – Middle finger (3)
- F – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- D – Thumb (1)
- Bb – Third finger (3)
- F – Fifth finger (5)
Bb major chord progression
The B flat major chord progression is widely used in various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. A B flat major chord progression often includes chords like Bb, Eb, F and Gm. Here are some popular B flat major chord progressions:
- Bb – Eb – F – Bb
- Bb – Gm – Eb – F
- Bb – Eb – Gm – F
- Bb – F – Gm – Eb
These progressions highlight the versatility of the B-flat major chord progression, offering a range of moods from uplifting to dramatic. They are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test.To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Popular songs to play with the Bb major piano chords
Autumn leaves – Joseph Kosma
Bye Bye Blackbird – Eddie Cantor
Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
