Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ natural minor scale on ukulele
B♭ natural minor uses B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, and A♭. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 3 and string 1 fret 1 for a compact start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ natural minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ natural minor is the Aeolian mode of D♭ major, sharing its key signature. It lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of B♭ major. Compared with B♭ minor pentatonic, it adds C and G♭ for full diatonic movement.
When to use it
Use B♭ natural minor over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th progressions in jazz, metal, and classical settings. The G♭ and A♭ create a dark pull back to B♭. B♭ natural minor suits the key of B♭ minor, where the seventh degree stays a whole step below the tonic.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fourth string and covers frets 0–3 for easy open-position phrasing.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ natural minor?
B♭ natural minor contains B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, and A♭. The intervals are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the Aeolian mode of D♭ major. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ natural minor?
B♭ natural minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The tonic chord is B♭ minor. The scale also works over progressions built from the key of B♭ minor.
How does B♭ natural minor differ from B♭ minor pentatonic?
B♭ natural minor adds C and G♭ to the five notes of B♭ minor pentatonic. The pentatonic scale omits the second and sixth degrees. The natural minor provides a fuller diatonic sound.