Bb chord (B flat major) on guitar
Bb (B flat major) has three notes: B flat, D and F. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, Bb is the I chord in Bb major, the IV in F major and the V in Eb major.
Bb chord shapes
Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 3 on D, 3 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 1 on A, 3 on G, 4 on B, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 6, then 3 on A, 4 on D, 2 on G.
Finger 1 barres fret 3, then 4 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 4 on E, 3 on A, 1 on G, 2 on B.
Fingers: 2 on E, 1 on A, 4 on D, 3 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Bb |
|---|---|
| Also written | Bbmaj, BbM |
| Notes | Bb D F |
| Formula | 1 3 5 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Major chord |
Bb across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 1 F (5), fret 6 Bb (1), fret 10 D (3), fret 13 F (5), fret 18 Bb (1), fret 22 D (3).
- A string: fret 1 Bb (1), fret 5 D (3), fret 8 F (5), fret 13 Bb (1), fret 17 D (3), fret 20 F (5).
- D string: fret 0 D (3), fret 3 F (5), fret 8 Bb (1), fret 12 D (3), fret 15 F (5), fret 20 Bb (1), fret 24 D (3).
- G string: fret 3 Bb (1), fret 7 D (3), fret 10 F (5), fret 15 Bb (1), fret 19 D (3), fret 22 F (5).
- B string: fret 3 D (3), fret 6 F (5), fret 11 Bb (1), fret 15 D (3), fret 18 F (5), fret 23 Bb (1).
- e string: fret 1 F (5), fret 6 Bb (1), fret 10 D (3), fret 13 F (5), fret 18 Bb (1), fret 22 D (3).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the Bb chord?
Bb (B flat major) has three notes: B flat, D and F. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. Bb is the root, D is the major third and F is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Bb on guitar?
The easiest shape is x13331. Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 3 on D, 3 on G, 3 on B.
What key is Bb in?
In major keys, Bb is the I chord in Bb major, the IV in F major and the V in Eb major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Bb and Bbm?
Bb has a major 3rd, D. Bbm lowers it a half step to Db, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.