How To Play B Flat Chord On Guitar?
In today's lesson, we'll go over 5 distinct ways to play the B flat major chord or Bb chord on guitar.
We'll discover common positions, voicings, and recommend finger placements, each with its own chord diagram as well as tips to make smooth chord transitions. Later in this article, we'll also discuss chord theory, how it gets its name, how to use it, and some killer songs to practice to.
Play The Bb Chord Without Barre
Due to the notes that make up the Bb major chord, there isn't an open position, but there are a few ways to play the chord without barring.
The easiest way to play The Bb chord on guitar is to place your:
- Second finger on fourth string, third fret
- Third finger on third string, second fret
- Fourth finger on second string, second fret
Yes, this is the same shape as an A major chord played in an open position, but you just slide up your fingers one fret and then avoid strumming the low e string, the fifth string, and the high e string.
This voicing would be considered an inversion where the chord is not in the root position. Root notes refer to the root of the chord (in this case, the Bb note), and root position means the Bb note is the lowest-sounding note.
When an inversion is written, it is often referred to as a slash chord, such as Bb/F. This simply means playing the Bb but having the F note as the bass note.
The next voicing for the Bb chord is a killer way to prepare your hands for barre chords. To play, place your:
- Index finger on the sixth string, 6th fret
- Third finger on the 5th string, 8th fret
- Fourth finger on the 4th string, 8th fret
- Middle finger on the 7th fret of the G string
Only strum four strings and avoid strumming the first and second strings. If needed, use a mirror to ensure you have proper form.
Play B Flat Major With Barre Chords
Bb Guitar Chord With A Shape
This is going to be similar to the first Bb chord we learned, but this time we are going to add the barre chord. To play, place your:
- First finger on the fifth string, first fret
- Then, your ring finger on the third fret of the D string
- At last, lay your ring finger flat so that it lays across strings 2-4
To play this chord correctly, your thumb must be in the middle of your hand, and your ring finger knuckle must be high so that it can "scoop" down and lay flat. (see video)
Bb Guitar Chord With E shape
Similar to the second voicing we discussed, this is going to be exactly the same, but you will simply press your index finger to the side as your other fingers squeeze in. You will be barring across all the strings, and as far as barre chords for major chords, this is the most popular voicing.
If you can do the non barre voicing of this shape, adding in the barre should be relatively easy.
Bb Guitar Chord With
C Shape
This last voicing for the Bb major chord is a bit more rare, but if you learn it, you'll for sure be the most badass Bb chord player at your next jam session.
To play, place your:
- Pinky finger on the fifth string, 13th fret
- Ring finger on the fourth string, 12th fret
- Index finger on the third string, 10th fret
- Middle finger on the second string, 11th fret
Then, barre from the G string down across strings 1 - 3. As indicated in the chord diagram, strum from the 5th string down.
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B Flat Major Chord Tips
Tip #1
The #1 mistake players make in learning how to play new chords is that they don't memorize them. If you have to constantly look at where to place your fingers, your mind/body won't develop proper coordination. Focus on learning just a few chords at a given time.
Tip #2
To learn the Bb major chord, play the chord very slowly so that all your fingers attack the strings simultaneously. Your chord changes will always be slow if you place your fingers on the fretboard one at a time.
Tip #3
Be sure your thumb is in the correct position. The #1 reason why players struggle with chords, have stiff fingers, think they have small hands, etc.. is due to a simple two-second fix... The thumb needs to be in the correct position. If it's on the outside of your index finger, your hand will not work properly.
Easy Songs Using B Flat Major
Tom Petty - Free Fallin
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
Megadeth - She Wolf
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
Dio- Don't Talk To Strangers
Rammstien - Ich Will
Bb Guitar Chord Theory
Now, let’s break down the theory of the B flat chord so you can better understand how to use it.
The Bb major chord is built from the Bb major scale, also written as B flat major scale: Bb C D Eb F G A. When reading standard notation or charts, you'll know if the song is in the key of Bb because, at the beginning of the music, the key signature will show two flats.
Now, to understand the chord formula, you need to understand "scale degrees," which is simply numbering the notes of the scale starting with the root note.
When teaching theory, guitar teachers often reference the piano due to the simplicity of the layout of piano keys, but I think the illustration below will do:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Bb C D Eb F G A
As you can see I have bolded the notes of the major scale that are used to create a B flat major chord. In music theory, we need the 1 3 5 scale degrees of a major scale to create a major chord. You must have these three notes (no more, no less) to make a Bb chord.
Now you know a few ways to play the Bb major chord and understand some B flat chord theory!
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