Bb Ionian
B flat Ionian scale for guitar.
The Bb Ionian is a seven-note scale (also referred to as the Bb Major scale). Notes are displayed in the fingerboard diagram, with the root notes indicated by darker color. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 6th fret.
Bb
2 octaves
Notes: Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - A
Intervals: 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1
Type: Septonic
The scale displayed with its numeric formula and scale degrees.
| Formula | Notes | Intervals | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Unison | Tonic |
| 2 | C | Major second | Supertonic |
| 3 | D | Major third | Mediant |
| 4 | Eb | Perfect fourth | Subdominant |
| 5 | F | Perfect fifth | Dominant |
| 6 | G | Sixth | Submediant |
| 7 | A | Major seventh | Leading tone |
The B flat Ionian consists of seven notes. These can be described as steps on the guitar fingerboard according to the following formula: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half from the first note to the same in the next octave.
Bb Ionian is the first mode of Bb Major and therefore both scales include the same notes and in the same order.
This scale is used in numerous styles, such as various forms of pop, rock and classical music.
Since this scale is exactly the same as the Major scale you don't have to put any time into learning it.
The main three-note and four-note chords that are related to this scale are the following:
| Bb | X13331 | Bbmaj7 | X13231 |
| Cm | X35543 | Cm7 | X35343 |
| Dm | XX0231 | Dm7 | XX0211 |
| Eb | X68886 | Ebmaj7 | X68786 |
| F | 133211 | F7 | 131211 |
| Gm | 355333 | Gm7 | 353333 |
| Adim | X0121X | Am7b5 | XX7888 |
The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the Bb Ionian mode.
Related to this scale is the Bb Ionian #5, being the third mode of the Harmonic Minor. It is identical with the Bb Ionian except for the augmented fifth. It can be displayed as follows:
| Formula | Notes | Intervals | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Unison | Tonic |
| 2 | C | Major second | Supertonic |
| 3 | D | Major third | Mediant |
| 4 | Eb | Perfect fourth | Subdominant |
| #5 | F# | Augmented fifth | Dominant |
| 6 | G | Sixth | Submediant |
| 7 | A | Minor seventh | Subtonic |
The Bb Ionian #5 contains the same notes as the G Harmonic Minor Scale, but starts on another note.