— A major key with 6 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb —

The key of Gb major

Scale: Gb · Ab · Bb · Cb · Db · Eb · F

Drill key signatures in the trainer →

G♭ major has six flats — B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, and C♭ — and sits six counter-clockwise steps from C on the circle of fifths. It's enharmonically the same pitch as F# major (six sharps), and music in this region is usually notated in whichever key looks cleaner against the surrounding context.

Key signature

6flats
  1. 1.B♭
  2. 2.E♭
  3. 3.A♭
  4. 4.D♭
  5. 5.G♭
  6. 6.C♭

Added in the standard order of flats.

Diatonic chords

The seven triads built on each scale degree. These are the chords you hear used most in Gb major:

RomanChordQualityNotes
IGbmajorGb · Bb · Db
iiAbmminorAb · Cb · Eb
iiiBbmminorBb · Db · F
IVCbmajorCb · Eb · Gb
VDbmajorDb · F · Ab
viEbmminorEb · Gb · Bb
vii°F°diminishedF · Ab · Cb

Common progressions

I–V–vi–IV in G♭ is G♭–D♭–E♭m–C♭. Like F# major, G♭ is more common as a transit key than a destination — but it appears in jazz standards (Tadd Dameron's "Lady Bird" briefly visits) and in romantic-era piano literature where the all-black-key topography is part of the appeal.

Relative minor

The relative minor of Gb major is Eb minor — it shares the same key signature, just centred on the 6th degree of the Gb major scale (Eb). A piece can move between Gb major and Eb minor freely without any change of accidentals.

Common mistakes

The unusual flat here is C♭ — it's the same pitch as B natural, but it must be spelled C♭ so the scale uses every letter once. Beginners write B instead of C♭ and end up with two B-named notes (B♭ and B) and no C. The IV chord in G♭ is spelled C♭ major (C♭–E♭–G♭), not B major.

Drill it

The Circle of Fifths trainer drills every key signature — Gb major included — with timed flash cards and best-time tracking.

Open the Circle of Fifths Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

How many flats does G♭ major have?
G♭ major has six flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, and C♭.
What are the notes in the G♭ major scale?
G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F.
What is the relative minor of G♭ major?
E♭ minor — same six-flat key signature.
What is the enharmonic equivalent of G♭ major?
F# major (six sharps).