B♭(B-flat), or, in some European countries,B,is the eleventh step of the Westernchromatic scale(starting fromC). It lies adiatonic semitoneaboveAand achromatic semitonebelowB,[1]thus beingenharmonictoA♯,even though in somemusical tunings,B♭will have a different sounding pitch than A♯.B-flat is also enharmonic to C
(C-double flat).
When calculated inequal temperamentwith a reference ofAabovemiddle Cas 440Hz,thefrequencyof the B♭above middle C is approximately 466.164 Hz.[2]Seemusical pitchfor a discussion of historical variations in frequency.
Whileorchestrastune to an A provided by theoboist,wind ensemblesusually tune to a B-flat.[3]
In Germany, Russia, Poland, Scandinavia and Slovakia this pitch is designated B, with 'H' used to designate the B-natural.Since the 1990s, B-flat is often denoted Bb or "Bess" instead of B in Swedish music textbooks. Natural B is called "B" by Swedish jazz and pop musicians, but still denoted H in classical music.[4]SeeB (musical note)andNote names and their historyfor explanations.
Designation by octave
edit| Scientificdesignation | Helmholtzdesignation | Octave name | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B♭−1 | B♭͵͵͵ or ͵͵͵B♭or BBBB♭ | Subsubcontra | 14.568 |
| B♭0 | B♭͵͵ or ͵͵B♭or BBB♭ | Subcontra | 29.135 |
| B♭1 | B♭͵ or ͵B♭or BB♭ | Contra | 58.27 |
| B♭2 | B♭ | Great | 116.541 |
| B♭3 | b♭ | Small | 233.082 |
| B♭4 | b♭′ | One-lined | 466.164 |
| B♭5 | b♭′′ | Two-lined | 932.328 |
| B♭6 | b♭′′′ | Three-lined | 1864.655 |
| B♭7 | b♭′′′′ | Four-lined | 3729.31 |
| B♭8 | b♭′′′′′ | Five-lined | 7458.62 |
| B♭9 | b♭′′′′′′ | Six-lined | 14917.24 |
| B♭10 | b♭′′′′′′′ | Seven-lined | 29834.481 |
Scales
editCommon scales beginning on B♭
edit- B-flat major:B♭C D E♭F G A B♭
- B-flat natural minor:B♭C D♭E♭F G♭A♭B♭
- B-flatharmonic minor:B♭C D♭E♭F G♭A B♭
- B-flatmelodic minorascending: B♭C D♭E♭F G A B♭
- B-flat melodic minor descending: B♭A♭G♭F E♭D♭C B♭
- B-flatIonian:B♭C D E♭F G A B♭
- B-flatDorian:B♭C D♭E♭F G A♭B♭
- B-flatPhrygian:B♭C♭D♭E♭F G♭A♭B♭
- B-flatLydian:B♭C D E F G A B♭
- B-flatMixolydian:B♭C D E♭F G A♭B♭
- B-flatAeolian:B♭C D♭E♭F G♭A♭B♭
- B-flatLocrian:B♭C♭D♭E♭F♭G♭A♭B♭
- B-flatascending melodic minor:B♭C D♭E♭F G A B♭
- B-flatDorian ♭2:B♭C♭D♭E♭F G A♭B♭
- B-flatLydian augmented:B♭C D E F♯G A B♭
- B-flatLydian dominant:B♭C D E F G A♭B♭
- B-flatMixolydian ♭6:B♭C D E♭F G♭A♭B♭
- B-flatLocrian ♮2:B♭C D♭E♭F♭G♭A♭B♭
- B-flataltered:B♭C♭D♭E
F♭G♭A♭B♭
References
edit- ^"B-flat (note) on Piano, Guitar, and Ukulele".Musicca.Retrieved2024-01-18.
- ^Suits, B. H. (1998)."Physics of Music Notes - Scales: Just vs Equal Temperament".MTU.edu.Michigan Technological University.Retrieved5 February2024.
- ^"Why does the orchestra tune to the oboe?".Rockford Symphony Orchestra.Retrieved2024-01-18.
- ^Brian Blood."Lesson 9 – Notes and Keys in Various Languages".Dolmetsch Online.Retrieved15 July2024.