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B♭ Clarinet · Melodic Minor scale · written pitch

E♭ Melodic Minor scale for B♭ Clarinet

2 octaves from E♭4, key signature 6 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭). On the B♭ Clarinet this sounds in concert D♭ minor.

Scale — ascending & descending

E♭FG♭A♭B♭CDE♭FG♭A♭B♭CDE♭D♭C♭B♭A♭G♭FE♭D♭C♭B♭A♭G♭FE♭

Arpeggio

E♭G♭B♭E♭G♭B♭E♭B♭G♭E♭B♭G♭E♭

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 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 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 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 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♭FG♭A♭B♭CDE♭
ConcertC♯E♭EF♯A♭B♭CC♯

Descending, the melodic minor uses the natural minor: D♭ C♭ B♭ A♭ G♭ F E♭ D♭.

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 6 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 E♭ Melodic Minor scale on B♭ Clarinet?

E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭.

What is the key signature of E♭ Melodic Minor?

E♭ minor has 6 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭).

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

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