B♭ Harmonic Major at a glance
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. Built on the root B♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B♭ C D E♭ F G♭ A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | B♭C°DmE♭mFG♭+A° |
Chords in the B♭ Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B♭ Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · B♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B♭ Harmonic Major uses three black keys (B♭, E♭ and G♭) and four white.
B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F · G♭ · A
Play B♭ Harmonic Major on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
B♭ Harmonic Major on the guitar
B♭ Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
B♭ Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the B♭ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | D | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | E♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | A | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes B♭ Harmonic Major different
Harmonic major is the major scale with a lowered sixth, the one note that separates it from major. The ♭6 opens an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees, the same gap harmonic minor has, but over a major tonic. It changes the subdominant: the iv chord is minor while V stays major, so the minor iv to I cadence is built into the scale. Its ♭VI chord is augmented. On B♭, B♭ Harmonic Major has G♭ where B♭ Major has G; every other note is shared with B♭ Major (B♭ C D E♭ F G A).
How to use the B♭ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of B♭ Harmonic Major are: I = B♭, ii° = C°, iii = Dm, iv = E♭m, V = F, VI+ = G♭+, vii° = A°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B♭ Harmonic Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
Practice tips
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.
Formula & step pattern
The B♭ Harmonic Major scale follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear B♭ Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for B♭ Harmonic Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the B♭ Harmonic Major scale?
The B♭ Harmonic Major scale contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G♭ and A.
What is the formula for the B♭ Harmonic Major scale?
B♭ Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is B♭ Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
B♭ Harmonic Major is a harmonic major scale. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz.
What chords belong to the B♭ Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of B♭ Harmonic Major are B♭, C°, Dm, E♭m, F, G♭+, A°.
Which genres use B♭ Harmonic Major?
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
How do you play the B♭ Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano B♭ Harmonic Major uses three black keys (B♭, E♭ and G♭) and four white.
What is the difference between B♭ Harmonic Major and B♭ Major?
On B♭, B♭ Harmonic Major has G♭ where B♭ Major has G; every other note is shared with B♭ Major (B♭ C D E♭ F G A).
How do I practise the B♭ Harmonic Major scale?
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.