Scale Tone Chords in the Key of Bb Major
Using scale tone chord theory based upon the Bb major scale (see Appendix 2), the most common chords in the key of Bb major are:
The key of Bb contains two flats - Bb and Eb.
The key signature of Bb is:
You have learned all of these chord shapes except Cm and Eb, which are introduced next. To play A diminished (Ao) see the chord chart in the appendix.
The C Minor (Cm) Chord
The Cm chord is constructed from the C major scale (see Appendix 2). Using the minor chord formula on the C major scale, gives the notes C, Eb and G. Play the three notes of the Cm chord and its two inversions with both your left and right hands, in various positions on the keyboard.
C Minor - Root Position
The Eb Major Chord
The Eb major chord is constructed from the Eb major scale (see Appendix 2). Using the major chord formula on the Eb major scale, gives the notes Eb, G and Bb. Play the three notes of the Eb chord and its two inversions with both your left and right hands, in various positions on the keyboard.
Eb Major - Root Position
The F Seventh (F7) Chord
The chords contained in a 12 Bar Blues are the I, IV and V7 chords. If we wish to play a Blues in Bb we need to know a new chord - F7. The F7 chord is constructed from the F major scale (see Appendix 2).
Using the seventh chord formula on the F major scale, gives the notes F, A, C and Eb. Play the four notes of the F7 chord and its three inversions with both your left and right hands, in various positions on the keyboard.
F Seventh - Root Position
Practice improvising or making up your own riffs playing notes from the Bb Blues scale with your right hand, against the left hand part in the Blues shown here (or just play the full chord shapes with the left hand).
