Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale
Notes in the Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | Bb | Db |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Db | Eb |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Eb | F |
| 4 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | F | Ab |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb (complex) | other |
| ♭3 | Db | Db (complex) | other |
| 4 | Eb | Eb (complex) | other |
| 5 | F | F (complex) | other |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab (complex) | other |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale in Practice
The Bb Minor 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 minor pentatonic scale is the most commonly used scale in blues and rock music. It contains five notes with a raw, expressive sound ideal for improvisation.
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 |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Minor 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.