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B♭ Clarinet · Major scale · written pitch

D♭ Major scale for B♭ Clarinet

2 octaves from D♭4, key signature 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). On the B♭ Clarinet this sounds in concert C♭ major.

Scale — ascending & descending

D♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭CB♭A♭G♭FE♭D♭CB♭A♭G♭FE♭D♭

Arpeggio

D♭FA♭D♭FA♭D♭A♭FD♭A♭FD♭

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

Fingerings for every note

B♭ 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 A♭4 fingering: G♯ key (side of left index).A♭4B♭ 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 A♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, register key, C♯/G♯ key (left pinky).A♭5B♭ Clarinet B♭5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2, register key, side key 4 (E♭/B♭).B♭5B♭ Clarinet C6 fingering: Thumb hole, register key.C6B♭ Clarinet D♭6 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 2-3, right hand 1-2, register key.D♭6

Notes of the scale

Degree12345678
WrittenD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭
ConcertBC♯E♭EF♯A♭B♭B

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.
  • The top notes are in the altissimo: slide the left index finger off its hole as a vent and keep the air fast and focused.
  • With 5 flats, work out the chromatic fingerings first (sliver keys, side keys, alternate pinky keys) and practise the awkward pairs slowly in isolation.
  • 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 D♭ Major scale on B♭ Clarinet?

D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭.

What is the key signature of D♭ Major?

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

What concert key is written D♭ Major on the B♭ Clarinet?

Written D♭ major on the B♭ Clarinet sounds in concert C♭ major.