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B♭ Clarinet · Major scale · written pitch

E♭ Major scale for B♭ Clarinet

2 octaves from E♭4, key signature 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭). On the B♭ Clarinet this sounds in concert D♭ major.

Scale — ascending & descending

E♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭DCB♭A♭GFE♭DCB♭A♭GFE♭

Arpeggio

E♭GB♭E♭GB♭E♭B♭GE♭B♭GE♭

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

Fingerings for every note

B♭ Clarinet E♭4 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2, side key 4 (E♭/B♭).E♭4B♭ Clarinet F4 fingering: Thumb hole.F4B♭ Clarinet G4 fingering: No keys or holes — all open.G4B♭ 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 D5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1-2-3, register key.D5B♭ 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 G5 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 1-2-3, register key.G5B♭ 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 D6 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 2-3, right hand 1, register key, A♭/E♭ key (right pinky).D6B♭ Clarinet E♭6 fingering: Thumb hole, left hand 2-3, right hand 1, register key, B/F♯ sliver key, A♭/E♭ key (right pinky).E♭6

Notes of the scale

Degree12345678
WrittenE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭
ConcertC♯E♭FF♯A♭B♭CC♯

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.
  • 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 E♭ Major scale on B♭ Clarinet?

E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭.

What is the key signature of E♭ Major?

E♭ major has 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).

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

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