Scale degrees · B♭ major
The 3 of B♭ is D
The 3 (three) of B♭ (B flat, Bb) is D: a major third above the root.
B♭ — the root, 1D — the 3
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: B, C, D. A 3rd lands on D.
Then the sound: a major third is 4 semitones above B♭, which is exactly where D is — no sharp or flat needed.
Where you meet it
The 3 decides major or minor. With the 7 it is a guide tone: the two notes that say what a chord is.
In B♭ major:
B♭ · D · F
The 3 in every key
| Key | The 3 |
|---|---|
| C | E |
| G | B |
| D | F♯ |
| A | C♯ |
| E | G♯ |
| B | D♯ |
| F♯ | A♯ |
| D♭ | F |
| A♭ | C |
| E♭ | G |
| B♭ | D |
| F | A |
Every degree of B♭
Free on iPhone and Android
Name it before
you can count it.
Improvy trains every degree in all 12 keys — the 3, the ♭7, the ♯11 — until you see the note without working it out. A few minutes a day. Free to start; Pro is one payment, never a subscription.
Or try the 60-second test in your browser