8.19 The primary degrees in B flat minor
| Category: Harmony | Tags: Primary degrees |
Theory
In this chapter, I’ll teach you which tones in the B flat minor scale make up the first, fourth and fifth degree, and the dominant seventh chord. The examples demonstrate different ways of playing these chords. You’ll learn how to recognise these chords and build them yourself in the exercise.
1. The first degree (I)
The first degree (I) is comprised of the notes: Bb Db F.
Examples
2. The fourth degree (IV)
The fourth degree (IV) in the natural and harmonic B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes: Eb Gb Bb.
Examples
The fourth degree (IV) in the melodic B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes: Eb G Bb.
Examples
3. The fifth degree (V)
The fifth degree (V) in the natural B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes: F Ab C.
Examples
The fifth degree (V) in the harmonic and melodic B flat minor scale is comprised of the notes: F A C.
Examples
4. The dominant seventh chord (V7)
The dominant seventh chord (V7) is comprised of the notes: F A C Eb (harmonic and melodic).
Examples
5. Practise
Harmony exercise 8u: practise recognizing the primary degrees in B flat minor.
Get the full course6. Table of degrees for B flat minor
For completeness, I’ll also give you an overview of all the degrees in the B flat minor scale.
Natural B flat minor |
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| Degree | Root | triad |
| I | Bb | Bb Db F |
| II | C | C Eb Gb |
| III | Db | Db F Ab |
| IV | Eb | Eb Gb Bb |
| V | F | F Ab C |
| VI | Gb | Gb Bb Db |
| VII | Ab | Ab C Eb |
Harmonic B flat minor |
||
| Degree | Root | triad |
| I | Bb | Bb Db F |
| II | C | C Eb Gb |
| III | Db | Db F A |
| IV | Eb | Eb Gb Bb |
| V | F | F A C |
| V7 | F | F A C Eb |
| VI | Gb | Gb Bb Db |
| VII | A | A C Eb |
Melodic B flat minor |
||
| Degree | Root | triad |
| I | Bb | Bb Db F |
| II | C | C Eb G |
| III | Db | Db F A |
| IV | Eb | Eb G Bb |
| V | F | F A C |
| V7 | F | F A C Eb |
| VI | G | G Bb Db |
| VII | A | A C Eb |
Summary
The primary degrees in B flat minor
- The first degree (I) is comprised of the notes: Bb Db F
- The fourth degree (IV) is comprised of the notes: Eb Gb Bb (natural and harmonic) or Eb G Bb (melodic)
- The fifth degree (V) is comprised of the notes: F Ab C (natural) or F A C (harmonic and melodic)
- The dominant seventh chord (V7) is comprised of the notes: F A C Eb
Practise
Harmony exercise 8u: practise recognizing the primary degrees in B flat minor.
Get the full course