How many sharps does B minor have?

Two: F# and C# — same as its relative major, D major.

The B natural minor scale — notes, intervals, and pattern

The B natural minor scale has two sharps — F# and C# — and shares its notes with D major. Bach wrote his Mass in B minor in this key, and the scale carries a heavier, more solemn quality than the brighter A or E minor scales.

Interval pattern

The B natural minor scale is built from this fixed pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H):

Wwhole
Hhalf
Wwhole
Wwhole
Hhalf
Wwhole
Wwhole

Every natural minor scale uses this same pattern. The half-steps fall between scale degrees 2–3 and 5–6.

Scale degrees and intervals

Each note of the scale, with its scale-degree name and interval from the root:

Degree	Note	Interval from root	Function
1	B	Root	Tonic
2	C#	M2	Supertonic
3	D	m3	Mediant
4	E	P4	Subdominant
5	F#	P5	Dominant
6	G	m6	Submediant
7	A	m7	Subtonic / Leading tone

In melody and improvisation

B minor is a workhorse key in classical and metal alike. Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony opens in B minor; Bach's Mass in B minor is one of the masterworks of Western music. On guitar, B minor often means barre-chord territory, but the scale's shape is identical to D major — just shifted one position.

Relative key

The B natural minor scale shares its notes with D major. Same seven pitches, different tonal centre — when a piece moves between them, no accidentals change.

Common mistakes

The two sharps (F#, C#) are shared with D major; both keys feel different despite using the same notes because of where the music resolves. Be careful with the harmonic-minor variant — A# replaces A, which transforms the leading tone but takes some practice to play in tune on stringed instruments.

Drill it

The Interval Trainer gives you a root note and an interval, and asks you to name the result. Practising the intervals of the B natural minor scale is the fastest way to internalise it as a melodic shape rather than a memorised string of notes.

Open the Interval Trainer →Or drill key signatures

Frequently asked

What are the notes in the B natural minor scale?: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A.
How many sharps does B minor have?: Two: F# and C# — same as its relative major, D major.
What is the relative major of B minor?: D major.