B♭ natural minor scale

The scale follows the natural minor pattern: B♭ to C (whole), C to D♭ (half), D♭ to E♭ (whole), E♭ to F (whole), F to G♭ (half), G♭ to A♭ (whole), and A♭ to B♭ (whole). This progression creates a rich, melancholic sound that is particularly effective on brass and woodwind instruments.

B♭ natural minor is extensively used in jazz and classical music, particularly in compositions for B♭ instruments like the clarinet, trumpet, and tenor saxophone. The scale's five-flat signature creates a warm, mellow timbre that's especially suited to these instruments. While its enharmonic equivalent A♯ natural minor is theoretically valid, B♭ natural minor is almost always preferred in practice due to its more intuitive notation for most musicians. The scale is particularly important in jazz improvisation and orchestral writing, where its relationship to D♭ major provides rich harmonic possibilities for modulation and development.