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B flat major guitar chord

B flat major is written Bb. The notes are B flat, D, and F. The first picture is the one to copy.

x means muted. 0 means open.

B flat major

Short code x13331, thickest string first.

Barre fret 1 with the index finger on the A and high E strings.

  1. Low E string: muted, do not play.
  2. A string: fret 1, index finger, note B flat, 1st.
  3. D string: fret 3, middle finger, note F, 5th.
  4. G string: fret 3, ring finger, note B flat, 1st.
  5. B string: fret 3, pinky finger, note D, 3rd.
  6. High E string: fret 1, index finger, note F, 5th.

B flat major uses the notes B flat, F and D.

More B flat guitar chords.

Also B flat minor, B flat dominant 7, B flat major 7, B flat minor 7, B flat suspended 2, B flat suspended 4, B flat power chord, B flat diminished, B flat augmented.

B flat major, another shape

Short code 688766, thickest string first.

Barre fret 6 with the index finger on the low E, B and high E strings.

  1. Low E string: fret 6, index finger, note B flat, 1st.
  2. A string: fret 8, ring finger, note F, 5th.
  3. D string: fret 8, pinky finger, note B flat, 1st.
  4. G string: fret 7, middle finger, note D, 3rd.
  5. B string: fret 6, index finger, note F, 5th.
  6. High E string: fret 6, index finger, note B flat, 1st.

B flat major uses the notes B flat, F and D.

Why do these two B flat major shapes both use a barre?

Both pictures are B flat, D, and F. That is B flat major. The first picture mutes the thick string and bars fret 1. The second picture bars fret 6 on all six strings. Same three notes. The second shape is higher on the neck, so it often sounds tighter and brighter.

If the B flat major in a song sounds higher than the first picture, try the second picture lower on this page. It is still B flat major.

D is the note that makes this chord major instead of minor. On the first picture that D is on the B string, fret 3, pinky. Play B flat minor after this. On B flat minor that note is D flat. Listen for D turning into D flat.

Progressions that start on B flat major

Play each line in order.

B flat major, C minor, F major, B flat major

C minor (Cm) is a quieter color, not a tragedy. F major (F) turns you around. B flat major (Bb) is still home; you just took the long way. Jazz standards and softer pop from the 1930s on like that little wait before you land. It feels grown without getting hard.

B flat major, G minor, C minor, F major

Two minor chords in a row, then F major points at the door and does not open it yet. 1930s–50s jazz and show tunes hang in that almost-home. The ache is the wait. Play it when you want class, not a sob.

B flat major, G minor, F major, B flat major

G minor (Gm) steps aside, F major leans in, Bb is the hug you knew was coming. Short, a little old-fashioned, a little movie-music from the 40s and 50s. The lump and the comfort in four chords.

B flat major, F major, B flat major, F major

F major keeps asking. Bb keeps saying yes. Gospel vamps and rock outros sit on this until someone nods to stop. Tight. Repeatable. Not a plot — a pulse you can preach or solo over.

Songs with B flat major

Listen for this chord, then use the grip on this page.

Purple Rain

B flat major sits in this Prince and the Revolution song. The recording is in B flat major. It also uses G minor and F major. The chords go B flat major, G minor, F major, E flat major.

B flat major is the first chord, the one the song keeps coming back to.

Prince and the Revolution put Purple Rain out in 1984, as the title song of the album Purple Rain and of the film Purple Rain. B flat major is the home chord. It is the chord the song starts on.

Prince first had it as a slow country-style sketch, about ten minutes long. He sent that tape to Stevie Nicks, who had sung on Stand Back. She told The Guardian she listened and got scared. She called him back and said she could not do it. It was too much for her.

Because she said no, he kept the song. Lisa Coleman later said that at first he was not even sure it was a Prince song.

B flat major is the chord you sit on at the start. Then you play G minor.