B♭ Minor/Major 7th

Fretboard

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Voicings & shapes

About

The B♭ minor/major 7 (B♭–D♭–F–A) combines a minor triad with a major seventh. The clash between the D♭ and A creates the distinctive, unresolved tension — both tones pull in different directions harmonically. Its most common functional use is as a passing chord in a descending bass line over a minor tonic: B♭m → B♭mMaj7 → B♭m7 → B♭m6, where the upper structure stays largely static while the bass walks down by half steps. This voice-leading use, more than chord-to-chord function, is how it typically earns its place — also known as the "James Bond chord". The A is the essential tone defining it. Compared to B♭m7, the raised seventh sharpens the tension considerably.

Chord diagrams

Bb Minor/Major 7th voicing charts — tap a sheet to open it full size to save or print.