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B♭ Clarinet · Harmonic Minor scale · written pitch

B♭ Harmonic Minor scale for B♭ Clarinet

2 octaves from B♭3, key signature 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). On the B♭ Clarinet this sounds in concert A♭ minor.

Scale — ascending & descending

B♭CD♭E♭FG♭AB♭CD♭E♭FG♭AB♭AG♭FE♭D♭CB♭AG♭FE♭D♭CB♭

Arpeggio

B♭D♭FB♭D♭FB♭FD♭B♭FD♭B♭

Download: MIDI · MusicXML (opens in MuseScore, Sibelius, Dorico, Finale) ·

Fingerings for every note

B♭ Clarinet B♭3 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1.B♭3B♭ Clarinet C4 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3.C4B♭ Clarinet D♭4 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, C♯/G♯ key (left pinky).D♭4B♭ Clarinet E♭4 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2, side key 4 (E♭/B♭).E♭4B♭ Clarinet F4 fingering: Thumb hole.F4B♭ Clarinet G♭4 fingering: Left hand 1.G♭4B♭ Clarinet A4 fingering: A key.A4B♭ Clarinet B♭4 fingering: Register key, A key.B♭4B♭ Clarinet C5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1-2-3, register key, right F/C key (pinky).C5B♭ Clarinet D♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1-2-3, register key, left F♯/C♯ key (pinky).D♭5B♭ Clarinet E♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1-2-3, register key, A♭/E♭ key (right pinky).E♭5B♭ Clarinet F5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1, register key.F5B♭ Clarinet G♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 2, register key.G♭5B♭ Clarinet A5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2, register key.A5B♭ Clarinet B♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2, register key, side key 4 (E♭/B♭).B♭5

Notes of the scale

Degree12345678
WrittenB♭CD♭E♭FG♭AB♭
ConcertA♭B♭BC♯E♭EGA♭

Practice tips

  • This scale crosses the break (B♭4 → B4). Keep the right-hand fingers resting just above or on their rings through the throat notes, then move the whole hand down together with the register key.
  • With 5 flats, work out the chromatic fingerings first (sliver keys, side keys, alternate pinky keys) and practise the awkward pairs slowly in isolation.
  • The raised seventh creates an augmented second between degrees 6 and 7 — sing it before you play it and check it with a tuner.
  • Practise with a metronome: legato first, then tongued; then in thirds and in rhythms (long–short, short–long).

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the B♭ Harmonic Minor scale on B♭ Clarinet?

B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭.

What is the key signature of B♭ Harmonic Minor?

B♭ minor has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).

What concert key is written B♭ Harmonic Minor on the B♭ Clarinet?

Written B♭ minor on the B♭ Clarinet sounds in concert A♭ minor.