Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ major scale on ukulele
B♭ major scale notes are B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. Box 1 places roots at string 4 fret 3 and string 1 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ major scale on ukulele?
B♭ major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
B♭ major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ major uses the major scale formula W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It shares five notes with B♭ major pentatonic but adds E♭ and A for the fourth and seventh degrees. Compare the two scales in B♭ major pentatonic.
When to use it
B♭ major fits the I, IV, and V chords in B♭ major: B♭ major, E♭ major, and F major. Use it for horn-like lines in jazz and brass-band tunes.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4 fret 3 gives a solid low anchor, and the open string 1 root keeps the shape compact for quick runs.
Common questions
What notes are in the B♭ major scale?
B♭ major scale notes are B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. On ukulele, Box 1 starts at string 4 fret 3. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ major fit?
B♭ major fits the B♭ major, E♭ major, and F major chords. These are the I, IV, and V chords in the key of B♭ major. The scale also works over B♭ 5th and E♭ 5th power chords.
How does B♭ major differ from B♭ major pentatonic?
B♭ major has seven notes, while B♭ major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits E♭ and A, the fourth and seventh degrees. Adding those two notes gives the full major scale sound.