B-flat minor

B-flat minor is a minor scale based on B♭, consisting of the pitches B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, and A♭. Its key signature has five flats. Its relative major is D-flat major and its parallel major is B-flat major. Its enharmonic equivalent, A-sharp minor, which would contain seven sharps, is not normally used.

B-flat minor
{ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 2/16 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef treble \key bes \minor s16 \clef bass \key bes \minor s16 } >> }
Relative keyD-flat major
Parallel keyB-flat major
Dominant keyF minor
SubdominantE-flat minor
EnharmonicA-sharp minor
Component pitches
B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭


The B-flat natural minor scale is:

{ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes4^\markup { Natural minor scale } c des es f ges aes bes aes ges f es des c bes2 \clef bass \key bes \minor } }

Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary. The B-flat harmonic minor and melodic minor scales are:

{ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes4^\markup { Harmonic minor scale } c des es f ges a bes a ges f es des c bes2 } }
{ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { \clef treble \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes4^\markup { Melodic minor scale (ascending and descending) } c des es f g a bes aes! ges! f es des c bes2 } }

Scale Degree Chords

Characteristics

B-flat minor is traditionally a 'dark' key.[1]

The old valveless horn was barely capable of playing in B-flat minor: the only example found in 18th-century music is a modulation that occurs in the first minuet of Franz Krommer's Concertino in D major, Op. 80.[2]

Notable classical compositions
See also: List of symphonies in B-flat minor

References
  1. Wilfrid Mellers, "Round and About in Górecki's Symphony No. 3" Tempo 168 3 (1989): 23
  2. J. Murray Barbour, Trumpets, Horns, and Music (1964), p. 163
  3. Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 (Chopin): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  4. Nocturnes, Op. 9 (Chopin): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  5. Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31 (Chopin): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  6. Preludes, Op.28 (Chopin): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  7. Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 (Tchaikovsky): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
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