Scale degrees · B♭ major
The 4 of B♭ is E♭
The 4 (four) of B♭ (B flat, Bb) is E♭ (E flat): a perfect fourth above the root.
B♭ — the root, 1E♭ — the 4
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: B, C, D, E. A 4th lands on E.
Then the sound: a perfect fourth is 5 semitones above B♭, and the E that is 5 semitones up is E♭.
That is why it is E♭ and not D♯: D♯ is the same key on the piano, but from B♭ it would be a 3rd, not a 4th.
Where you meet it
The 4 sits a half step above the major 3rd. In a sus chord it takes the 3rd's place; an octave up it is the 11.
In B♭sus4:
B♭ · E♭ · F
The 4 in every key
| Key | The 4 |
|---|---|
| C | F |
| G | C |
| D | G |
| A | D |
| E | A |
| B | E |
| F♯ | B |
| D♭ | G♭ |
| A♭ | D♭ |
| E♭ | A♭ |
| B♭ | E♭ |
| F | B♭ |
Every degree of B♭
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