major chord
Bb major chord on guitar
The A shape moved up one fret with a barre. The chord that makes F songs possible.
Where the fingers go
- 1
index finger, A string, fret 1
Count from the thick string: E A.
- 2
middle finger, D string, fret 3
Count from the thick string: E A D.
- 3
ring finger, G string, fret 3
Count from the thick string: E A D G.
- 4
pinky, B string, fret 3
Count from the thick string: E A D G B.
- 5
index finger, thin e string, fret 1
The thinnest string, nearest the floor.
- 6
Strum 5 strings, from the A string down
Skip the thick E. It would add a note that does not belong.
The notes in Bb
A chord is three or four notes played together. Bb major is built from these:
| Note | Job in the chord | Where it is in this shape |
|---|---|---|
| Bb | root | A string, fret 1; G string, fret 3 |
| D | major third | B string, fret 3 |
| F | fifth | D string, fret 3; thin e string, fret 1 |
The root, Bb, is the note it is named after. The second note decides the mood: a major third sounds bright, a minor third sounds sad. This chord sounds bright and settled.
Where it sits on the circle of fifths
The circle of fifths lines up the twelve keys so that neighbours share the most notes. Chords next to each other on the circle sound good one after the other, which is why songs move between them.
- Eb and F are Bb’s neighbours. Most songs in Bb use one or both.
- Gm is its relative minor: the same notes, a different home. Swapping between them changes the mood without changing your hand much.
The mistake everyone makes
Watch out
Trying to fit three fingertips at fret 3
Flatten the ring finger across the D, G and B strings instead. Let the thin e be muted if it will not ring.
Tip
Three strings is enough
Barre the A and thin e strings at fret 1 and play only D, G and B at fret 3. It is a full B flat.
Songs that use it
Songs in F and B flat. Horn-section keys and hymns.
None of the songs on the site use Bb yet. It is coming with the next batch.
Questions people ask
- Which strings do I strum for Bb major?
- 5 strings, from the A string down to the thin e. Skip the thick E string.
- What notes are in a Bb major chord?
- Bb, D, F. The Bb is the root, the note the chord is named after. The D makes it major.
- What chords go with Bb?
- Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, Eb and F, and its relative minor, Gm. Songs move between these because they share notes.