B (musical note)
B, also known as Si, Ti, or, in some European countries, H, is the seventh note and the twelfth semitone of the fixed-Do solfège. Its enharmonic equivalents are C and A.
When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle B is 493.883 Hz. See musical pitch for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.
Scales
Common scales beginning on B
- B major: B C D E F G A B
- B natural minor: B C D E F G A B
- B Harmonic minor: B C D E F G A B
- B Melodic minor ascending: B C D E F G A B
- B melodic minor descending: B A G F E D C B
Diatonic scales">Diatonic scale">Diatonic scales
- B Ionian: B C D E F G A B
- B Dorian: B C D E F G A B
- B Phrygian: B C D E F G A B
- B Lydian: B C D E F G A B
- B Mixolydian: B C D E F G A B
- B Aeolian: B C D E F G A B
- B Locrian: B C D E F G A B
[Jazz scale[minor scale|Jazz melodic minor]]
- B Ascending melodic minor: B C D E F G A B
- B Dorian ♭2: B C D E F G A B
- B Lydian augmented: B C D E F G A B
- B Lydian dominant: B C D E F G A B
- B Mixolydian ♭6: B C D E F G A B
- B Locrian ♮2: B C D E F G A B
- B Altered: B C D E F G A B
Variation of meaning by geographical region
The referent of the musical note B varies by location. See for a discussion on other differences in letter naming of the notes.In the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Netherlands, as described above, B usually refers to the note a semitone below C, while B-flat refers to the note a whole tone below C.
However, in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia, the label B is sometimes used for what, above, is called B-flat, and the note a semitone below C is called H. This makes possible certain spellings which are otherwise impossible, such as the BACH motif and the DSCH motif.