B♭ Clarinet · Melodic Minor scale · written pitch
B♭ Melodic 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
Arpeggio
Download: MIDI · MusicXML (opens in MuseScore, Sibelius, Dorico, Finale) ·
Fingerings for every note
Notes of the scale
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | B♭ | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G | A | B♭ |
| Concert | A♭ | B♭ | B | C♯ | E♭ | F | G | A♭ |
Descending, the melodic minor uses the natural minor: A♭ G♭ F E♭ D♭ C B♭ A♭.
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.
- Ascending, degrees 6 and 7 are raised; descending they return to the key signature (natural minor).
- 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♭ Melodic Minor scale on B♭ Clarinet?
B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A, B♭.
What is the key signature of B♭ Melodic Minor?
B♭ minor has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).
What concert key is written B♭ Melodic Minor on the B♭ Clarinet?
Written B♭ minor on the B♭ Clarinet sounds in concert A♭ minor.