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Flute · Harmonic Minor scale

B♭ Harmonic Minor scale for Flute

2 octaves from B♭4, key signature 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).

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

Flute B♭4 fingering: Left hand 1, right hand 1, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).B♭4Flute C5 fingering: Left hand 1, E♭ key (right pinky).C5Flute D♭5 fingering: E♭ key (right pinky).D♭5Flute E♭5 fingering: Left hand 2-3, right hand 1-2-3, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).E♭5Flute F5 fingering: Left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).F5Flute G♭5 fingering: Left hand 1-2-3, right hand 3, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).G♭5Flute A5 fingering: Left hand 1-2, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).A5Flute B♭5 fingering: Left hand 1, right hand 1, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).B♭5Flute C6 fingering: Left hand 1, E♭ key (right pinky).C6Flute D♭6 fingering: E♭ key (right pinky).D♭6Flute E♭6 fingering: Left hand 1-2-3, right hand 1-2-3, B thumb key, G♯ key (left pinky), E♭ key (right pinky).E♭6Flute F6 fingering: Left hand 1-3, right hand 1, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).F6Flute G♭6 fingering: Left hand 1-3, right hand 3, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).G♭6Flute A6 fingering: Left hand 2, right hand 1, B thumb key, E♭ key (right pinky).A6Flute B♭6 fingering: Right hand 1, B thumb key, D trill key.B♭6

Notes of the scale

Degree12345678
WrittenB♭CD♭E♭FG♭AB♭

Practice tips

  • 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.
  • Third-octave notes rely on fast air through a small aperture — keep the lips relaxed and the jaw slightly forward.
  • 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 flute?

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♭).