B♭ minor (B♭m) chord on piano

The B♭ minor chord (B♭m) is a minor triad, made of three notes: B♭ – D♭ – F. The same chord with a different spelling: A♯ minor (A♯m).

Root position: B♭3 – D♭4 – F4

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What the B♭m chord sounds like

A minor triad differs from a major one only in the third: it has a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder colour. In a major key, chords ii, iii and vi are minor.

Notes of the B♭m chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	B♭	root
3	D♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	F	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

B♭3 – D♭4 – F4

1st inversion

D♭4 – F4 – B♭4

2nd inversion

F4 – B♭4 – D♭5

Which keys is it in?

The B♭m chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

B♭ minor: i (tonic)
E♭ minor: v (dominant)
F minor: iv (subdominant)
G♭ major: iii
D♭ major: vi
A♭ major: ii

Similar chords and substitutes

If B♭m is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯ – relative major: two shared notes
F♯ – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
B♭m7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Richer versions

B♭m7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
B♭m6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
B♭m9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B♭m chord?

B♭, D♭, F. The root is B♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth.

How do I play the B♭m chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

Why do some songbooks write H instead of B?

In German and Central European notation, H is the note B, and B is the note B♭. So a “B” chord in a German or Hungarian songbook is B♭ in English notation, and an “H” chord is B. Always check which notation your chord chart uses.