How to play B-flat (Bb) major scale on flute, notes, fingering chart, and concert tips

The B-flat (Bb) major scale on flute is the scale of the key of B-flat or two flats. This implies that its tonic note is B-flat. B-flat major is subdominant to E-flat major, dominant to F major, parallel to B-flat minor, and relative to G minor. Below is a two octaves scale of B-flat major on flute and how it sounds;

b flat major scale flute

How to play the B-flat major scale on the flute, its notes, and fingering chat

You can only play a B-flat major scale of two octaves on the flute, being between the range of Bb5 to Bb7. You need to use a fingering chart or a particular pattern to play the B-flat major scale on the flute. Below is a guide and finger chart of how to play the B-flat major scale on the flute;

First octave B-flat major scale notes (Bb5 – Bb6) fingering chart for flute

To play the first octave (Bb5 – Bb6) B-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note and E note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Below is a chart for the first octave B-flat major scale on the flute;

b flat major scale flute fingering chart first octave

Second octave B-flat major scale notes (Bb6 – Bb7) fingering chart for flute

To play the second octave (Bb6 – Bb7) B-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Learning the scale might be hard for beginners. You will also have to tighten your lips to produce higher-pitched notes. Below is a chart for the second octave B-flat major scale on the flute;

b flat major scale flute fingering chart first octave

Concert B-flat major scale

While playing the B-flat major scale, every note is played in its natural form except for the B note and E note. This means that all notes except the B note and E note are played naturally while playing this scale on the concert flute, Indian or Bansuri flute, Native American flute, pan flute, Arabian flute, and any other flute.

If you play an alto flute or any other transposable flute, you can play the B-flat major scale without any transposition. But while running the B-flat major scale with another instrument that is not transposable, you will then have to transpose to the right key in other to sound the same with them in pitch.

B-flat major scale flute notes and arpeggio

The B-flat major scale can be played up to two octaves on a C flute, the standard concert flute. The first note of this scale on the C flute is the B-flat note on the third line of the treble clef which in the range is the Bb5. The notes or alphabets that you will play to get this scale correctly include; Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb. The two-octave arpeggio of this scale has its notes as Bb, D, F, Bb, D, F, Bb, F, D, Bb, F, D, Bb.

Notable flute compositions in B-flat major

  • 6 Variations for Flute, Op.55 by Kreith Charles
  • Concertino for 2 Flutes in B-flat major, MWV 10.34 by Molter Johann Melchior
  • Concerto for Flute d’amore in B-flat major, MWV 6.14 by Molter Johann Melchior
  • Concerto for 2 Flutes and 2 Oboes in B-flat major, GWV 344 by Graupner Christoph
  • Concerto for 2 Flutes in B-flat major by Hasse Johann Adolph
  • Concerto for 2 Flutes, Oboe and Violin, TWV 54:B1 by Telemann Georg Philipp
  • Der Heiland ruht auf Flut und Wellen, GWV 1115/43 by Graupner Christoph
  • Duet for 2 Flutes, TWV 40:130 Telemann Georg Philipp
  • Duet for 2 Flutes, TWV 40:134 by Telemann Georg Philipp
  • Flute Concerto in B-flat major, IGS 3 by Sammartini Giuseppe
  • Flute Concerto No.2 in B-flat major by Vanhal Johann Baptist
  • Flute Quartet in B-flat major, B.385 by Pleyel Ignaz
  • Flute Quartet in B-flat major, DTB XV/1.14 by Vogler Georg Joseph
  • Flute Quartet No.2, Op.10 by Balparda de Carvalho Daniel
  • Flute Quintet in B-flat major by Vanhal Johann Baptist
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, Anh.4 by Beethoven Ludwig van
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, H.552 by Bach Carl Philipp Emanuel
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, Op.1 No.3 by Bon Anna
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, QV 1:161 by Quantz Johann Joachim
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, QV 1:162 by Quantz Johann Joachim
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, SpiF 112 by Frederick II
  • Flute Sonata in B-flat major, SpiF 182 by Frederick IIFlute Sonata in B-flat major, SpiF 76 by Frederick II
  • Flute Sonata No.6 in B-flat major by Bach Johann Christoph Friedrich
  • Flute Sonata No.9 in B-flat major, Gjedde coll. by Ræhs Martin
  • Flute Sonata, Op.121 by Karg-Elert Sigfrid
  • Romance for Flute and Piano by German Edward