B (B-flat), or, in some European countries, B, is the eleventh step of the Western chromatic scale (starting from C). It lies a diatonic semitone above A and a chromatic semitone below B,[1] thus being enharmonic to A, even though in some musical tunings, B will have a different sounding pitch than A. B-flat is also enharmonic to C (C-double flat).
When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of the B above middle C is approximately 466.164 Hz.[2] See musical pitch for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.
While orchestras tune to an A provided by the oboist, wind ensembles usually tune to a B-flat.[3]
In Germany, Russia, Poland, Scandinavia and Slovakia this pitch is designated B, with 'H' used to designate the B-natural. Since the 1990s, B-flat is often denoted Bb or "Bess" instead of B in Swedish music textbooks. Natural B is called "B" by Swedish jazz and pop musicians, but still denoted H in classical music.[4] See B (musical note) and Note names and their history for explanations.
| Scientific designation | Helmholtz designation | Octave name | Frequency (Hz) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B−1 | B͵͵͵ or ͵͵͵B or BBBB | Subsubcontra | ||
| B0 | B͵͵ or ͵͵B or BBB | Subcontra | ||
| B1 | B͵ or ͵B or BB | Contra | ||
| B2 | B | Great | ||
| B3 | b | Small | ||
| B4 | b | One-lined | ||
| B5 | b | Two-lined | ||
| B6 | b | Three-lined | ||
| B7 | b | Four-lined | ||
| B8 | b | Five-lined | ||
| B9 | b | Six-lined | ||
| B10 | b | Seven-lined |