B♭ major chord on piano
B♭ is a major chord built on B♭. It uses the notes B♭ - D - F and sounds bright, stable and resolved. It is also written as A♯ major.
- Notes
- B♭ D F
- Formula
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- B♭
How to play B♭ step by step
- Find B♭. B♭ is the last black key in each group of three. The same key is also called A♯.
- Add D, 4 half steps above B♭.
- Add F, 7 half steps above B♭.
- Press all 3 keys together with fingers 1 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
B♭ inversions
An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.
Which keys use the B♭ chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. B♭ appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B♭ major chord?
The B♭ major chord (B♭) contains 3 notes: B♭, D, F. Its formula is 1 - 3 - 5.
How do you play B♭ on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on B♭ and play B♭, D, F together using fingers 1 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 1.
Is B♭ major the same as A♯ major?
Yes. B♭ major and A♯ major use exactly the same piano keys. The name you see depends on the key signature of the piece.