Bb Minor Circle (Bbm)
i - VI - iv - V7 progression in Bb minor with Gb major and F7
Bb minor lays a flat barre on fret 1 with finger 3 on fret 3 of string 4. Moving to Gb major keep the barre on fret 1 of strings 1 and 2 while fingers 2 and 3 cover frets 2 and 3 of strings 3 and 4. For Eb minor cover frets 3, 3, 2, and 1. For F7 place fingers on frets 2, 3, 1, and 3.
How the chords connect in Bb minor
The progression
Bbm, Gb, Ebm and F7 make up the Bb minor circle, as degrees i, VI, iv and V7. At 80 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 3 seconds and the whole round about 12.
The notes of each chord
Bbm holds Bb, Db and F. In Gb you hear Gb, Bb and Db. Ebm holds Eb, Gb and Bb. In F7 you hear F, A, C and Eb.
From one chord to the next
Bbm and Gb keep Bb and Db in common. Also, three hand positions stay put. From Gb to Ebm, Gb and Bb stay, and three hand positions stay put. Ebm and F7 keep Eb in common. Also, one hand position stays put.
Back to the start
Going back from F7 to Bbm, A rises a semitone to Bb and Eb falls a whole tone to Db. The two chords share F.
The hand
Bbm needs a barre at fret 1. Gb takes a barre at fret 1. Ebm presses four positions and leaves no string open. F7 presses four positions and leaves no string open. The highest fret in the circle is fret 3, in Bbm. Bbm and Gb use a barre.
Key map: Bbm
- Key signature
- 5 flats
- Scale notes
- Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab
The 7 chords of the key
- iBbm
- ii°Cdim
- IIIDb
- ivEbm
- VF
- VIGb
- VIIAb
In minor, V is major thanks to the leading tone (raised 7th degree).
- Relative key
- Db
Bb Minor Circle (Bbm) circle for ukulele
Bbm 3111 · Gb 3121 · Ebm 3321 · F7 2313
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you keep the fret 1 barre steady between B flat minor and G flat?
Keep your index finger down on fret 1 while merely shifting fingers 2 and 3 on the middle strings for unbroken tone.
What role does G flat major serve in this progression?
It acts as chord VI, bringing warm light that balances the somber depth of B flat minor.
Why does F7 resolve so strongly into B flat minor?
Because its leading tone A natural steps up a half step to resolve into the root B flat.