Chords in the key of Bb minor

The notes of Bb minor are Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab. Each note makes one chord, so these are the seven chords that belong together. Its relative major is Db major, which uses exactly the same chords.

The seven chords in Bb minor

NumberChordFeels likeWhat it does
i Bbm Home The chord the key is named after. Songs usually start and end here.
ii° Cdim Tense An unstable chord that leads toward v. Rare outside jazz.
III Db Bright The relative major. A brighter lift out of the minor sound.
iv Ebm Lift Moves away from home with a dark, warm colour.
v Fm Soft pull A gentle pull back to i. Many songs swap in a major V for a stronger pull.
VI Gb Warm A major chord that opens up the minor sound.
VII Ab Open A major chord a whole step below i. Common in rock and folk.

How to play them

Bbm

NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Cdim

3fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×
3fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Db

4fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3
4fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Ebm

6fr E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2
6fr E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Fm

NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4
NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Gb

NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Ab

4fr E A D G B e 1 3 4 2
4fr E A D G B e 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Tap a chord to see it bigger.

Famous progressions in Bb

Each one is written as numbers first, then as the real chords in Bb minor. Play each chord for one bar (four beats) unless you decide otherwise.

The three-chord minor song

i iv v

Bbm Ebm Fm

The minor-key version of the three-chord song. Dark and simple.

The epic minor progression

i VI III VII

Bbm Gb Db Ab

Four chords that rise and fall. Common in rock, pop and film music.

The Andalusian descent

i VII VI V

Bbm Ab Gb F

Four chords stepping down, ending on a major V that pulls hard back to i. Flamenco in origin, and everywhere in rock.

Heard in: Hit the Road Jack

Seventh chords used above

F

NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Other keys

C G D A E B F# Db Ab Eb Bb F | Am Em Bm F#m C#m G#m D#m Bbm Fm Cm Gm Dm

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