Chords in the key of Bb major on ukulele
The chords in the key of Bb major are built from the notes of the scale: Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim. Almost every song in this key uses only these, with the dominant F7 leading back to Bb.
The chords of the key
- BbI
- Cmii
- Dmiii
- EbIV
- FV
- F7V7
- Gmvi
- Adimvii°
| Degree | Chord | Function |
|---|---|---|
| I | Bb | tonic (rest) |
| ii | Cm | subdominant (moves away) |
| iii | Dm | tonic (rest) |
| IV | Eb | subdominant (moves away) |
| V | F | dominant (tension) |
| V7 | F7 | dominant (tension) |
| vi | Gm | tonic (rest) |
| vii° | Adim | dominant (tension) |
Common progressions
- Pop (I–V–vi–IV): Bb – F – Gm – Eb
- 50s (I–vi–IV–V): Bb – Gm – Eb – F
- ii–V–I: Cm – F7 – Bb – Bb
- Turnaround (I–vi | ii–V7): Bb Gm – Cm F7
To improvise
The Bb major scale works over all these chords. To start with less risk, use the major pentatonic: five notes that almost never sound wrong in this key.
Relative key: G minor, with the same notes and a different home chord.