Bb Major Pentatonic Scale
Notes in the Bb Major Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Bb | C |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 3 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | D | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | G | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb (complex) | other |
| 2 | C | C (complex) | other |
| 3 | D | D (complex) | other |
| 5 | F | F (complex) | other |
| 6 | G | G (complex) | other |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Major Pentatonic Scale in Practice
The Bb Major Pentatonic Scale uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys for this scale.
The major pentatonic scale uses five notes from the major scale, omitting the 4th and 7th degrees. It has a bright, open sound widely used in folk, country, and pop music.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Major Pentatonic Scale
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.