Bb is a major chord that includes the notes Bd, D, and F. Anyone can learn to play the Bb chord regardless of age or skill level. The voicings that you decide to use will depend on your sound preference and context of the song you play. In this article we will include diagrams and voicings to play guitar chords B flat, as well as explain the notes of the chords and what keys it is used in.
Related: What are the letter names of each guitar string?
Related: How To Use A Capo On Guitar
How To Play The B Flat Guitar Chord
Method 1:
The most common way to play the Bb chord is with the root on the fifth string. Here’s how to play it.
- Index Finger on 1st fret on the A string.
- Middle Finger on the 3rd fret on the D string.
- Ring Finger on the 3rd fret on the G string.
- Pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string.
- Barring the 1st fret to get the F on the E string is optional.
Method 2:
The next possible way to play Bb is with the root on the 6th string.
- Index finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string.
- Middle Finger on the 7th fret of the B string.
- Ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string.
- Pinky on the 8th fret of the 4th string.
Method 3:
The third way is a simplification of method two. It is still a Bb triad but it only contains 3 fundamental tones.
- Index on the 6th fret of the B string.
- Middle finger on the 7th fret of the G string.
- Ring finger on the 8th fret of the D string.
Related: Learn to play the B minor guitar chord
Songs That Use The Bb Chord
If you want to hear this chord in action, take a listen to any of these songs. If you know of any other songs that use this chord, please comment below & let us know!
- White Room by Cream
- Good Vibrations By the Beach Boys
- Now That We Found Love by The O’Jays
- All I Want by Toad The Wet Sprocket
- Heart Full Of Souls by The Yardbirds
Bb Chord Theory Breakdown
- The Bb chord has the notes Bb, D, and F, so as long as you play those 3 notes it counts as a Bb chord.
- The Bb chord is a major triad, meaning it has the root, major third and perfect fifth above Bb.
- It can be played in multiple places and inversions around the neck.
- You might see Bb also written as Bb MAJ, Bb M, or Bb △
Which Keys Have The Bb Chord In Them
The keys that use the chord Bb are:
- Bb Maj ( I Tonic)
- F Maj (IV Subdominant)
- Eb Maj (V Dominant)
- Eb min(V Dominant)
- G Min (III Mediant)
- D min (VI Submediant)
- C Min (VII Subtonic 7)
B Flat Major Triads
Triads are 3 note chords. Bb Major Triads include any chord that is made ONLY of the notes Bb, D, and F. By introducing additional scale degrees such as A or Db, you are changing the chord.
Which Scales Can Be Played Over The Bb Major
Any of these scales can be used to improvise over the Bb Major chord:
- Bb Major pentatonic scale
- Bb Major scale
- Bb Major Blues
Related: Gb Guitar Chord: Easy Ways To Play
Ways To Play The Bb Major Chord
Where there are only about 3 ways that Bb is commonly played, the total number of ways to play the Bb major chord is about 16. Many of these voicings are variations of each other. These other ways to play Bb Maj vary in tone and difficulty.
Other Ways To Play:
Related: G Major Chord
Conclusion
Bb is a major chord that includes the notes Bd, D, and F. It might be written as Bb, Bb M, Bb MAJ, or Bb △. The voicings that you decide to use will depend on your sound preference and context of the song you play. While there are 3 most common ways to play Bb, there are many different ways to play Bb, and the way you decide will depend on your skill level, tonal preference and content of the song you are playing. There is no right or wrong voicing to choose.
