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B-flat major

{{more citations needed|date=May 2025}}

{{Short description|Music scale based on B-flat}}

{{Infobox musical scale

| name=B-flat major
{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key bes \major s16 \clef bass \key bes \major s^"" }

| relative=G minor

| parallel=B-flat minor

| dominant=F major

| subdominant=E-flat major

| first_pitch=B{{music|flat}}

| second_pitch=C

| third_pitch=D

| fourth_pitch=E{{music|flat}}

| fifth_pitch=F

| sixth_pitch=G

| seventh_pitch=A

}}

B-flat major is a major scale based on B♭ (musical note), with pitches B{{music|flat}}, C, D, E♭ (musical note), F, G, and A. Its key signature has two flats. Its relative minor is G minor and its parallel minor is B-flat minor.

The B-flat major scale is:

{{block indent|

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key bes \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

bes^"B♭ natural major scale" c d es f g a bes a g f es d c bes2 \clef F \key bes \major }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

}}

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

{{block indent|

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key bes \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

bes^"B♭ harmonic major scale" c d es f ges a bes a ges f es d c bes2 \clef F \key bes \major }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

}}

{{block indent|

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key bes \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

bes^"B♭ melodic major scale (ascending and descending)" c d es f g a bes as ges f es d c bes2 \clef F \key bes \major }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

}}

Many transposing instruments are pitched in B-flat major, including the clarinet, trumpet, tenor saxophone, and soprano saxophone. As a result, B-flat major is one of the most popular keys for concert band compositions.

Scale degree chords

The scale degree chords of B-flat major are:

History

Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 98 is often credited as the first symphony written in that key, including trumpet and timpani parts. However, his brother Michael Haydn wrote one such symphony earlier, No. 36. Nonetheless, Joseph Haydn still gets credit for writing the timpani part at actual pitch with an F major key signature (instead of transposing with a C major key signature), a procedure that made sense since he limited that instrument to the tonic and dominant pitches.H. C. Robbins Landon, Haydn Symphonies, London: British Broadcasting Corporation (1966): 57 Many editions of the work use no key signature and specify the instrument as "Timpani in B{{music|flat}}–F".

Notable classical compositions

{{See also|List of symphonies in B-flat major}}

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References

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External links

  • {{Commons category-inline|B-flat major}}

{{Circle of fifths}}

Category:Musical keys

Category:Major scales