B-flat minor

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
B-flat minor
{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key bes \minor s16 \clef F \key bes \minor s^"" }
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

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.


The B-flat natural minor scale is:

 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
  \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes^"Natural minor scale" c des es f ges aes bes aes ges f es des c bes2
  \clef F \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:

 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
  \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes^"Harmonic minor scale" c des es f ges a bes a ges f es des c bes2
} }
 {
\omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' {
  \key bes \minor \time 7/4 bes^"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

References

External links