Bb Major Circle (Bb)
I - vi - ii - V7 progression in Bb major with G minor and F7
Bb major lays a barre on fret 1 across strings 1 and 2 with finger 1, finger 2 on fret 2 of string 3, and finger 3 on fret 3 of string 4. Moving to G minor finger 1 stays anchored on fret 1 of string 1 while fingers 2 and 3 drop onto strings 3 and 2. For C minor lay a half-barre on fret 3 of strings 3, 2, and 1. For F7 place fingers on frets 2, 3, 1, and 3.
How the chords connect in Bb major
The progression
This circle goes through Bb, Gm, Cm and F7, which in Bb major are degrees I, vi, ii and V7. At 88 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.7 seconds and the whole round about 10.9.
The notes of each chord
In Bb you hear Bb, D and F. Gm holds G, Bb and D. In Cm you hear C, Eb and G. F7 holds F, A, C and Eb.
From one chord to the next
From Bb to Gm, Bb and D stay, and two hand positions stay put. Gm and Cm keep G in common. Also, one hand position stays put. From Cm to F7, C and Eb stay, and two hand positions stay put.
Back to the start
Going back from F7 to Bb, A rises a semitone to Bb and Eb falls a semitone to D. The two chords share F.
The hand
Bb takes a barre at fret 1. Gm presses three positions and leaves string 4 open. Cm takes a barre at fret 3. F7 presses four positions and leaves no string open. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in Bb. Bb and Cm use a barre.
Key map: Bb
- Key signature
- 2 flats
- Scale notes
- Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A
The 7 chords of the key
- IBb
- iiCm
- iiiDm
- IVEb
- VF
- viGm
- vii°Adim
- Relative key
- Gm
Bb Major Circle (Bb) circle for ukulele
Bb 3211 · Gm 0231 · Cm 0333 · F7 2313
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
Why do B flat and G minor connect so easily on ukulele?
Because your first finger stays rooted on fret 1 of string 1 throughout the change, providing a steady anchor.
How do you fret F7 comfortably on ukulele?
Place fingers 2 and 3 on frets 2 and 3 of the lower strings, and fingers 1 and 4 on frets 1 and 3 of the higher strings.
Which playing style highlights the B flat circle?
A 4-string fingerpicking arpeggio brings out the polyphonic depth between closed shapes like B flat and C minor.