Chords in the key of A minor
The key of A minor (natural minor) has the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G and the chords Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F, and G. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone G♯: E (E7) and G♯°. Key signature: no sharps or flats. Relative major: C major.
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Em) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Am | Am7 | tonic |
| ii° | B° | Bm7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | C | C7M | tonic |
| iv | Dm | Dm7 | subdominant |
| v | Em | Em7 | dominant |
| VI | F | F7M | subdominant |
| VII | G | G7 | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
Harmonic minor (the V7 and vii°)
The 7th note is raised a half step (G♯): the V becomes major (E, or E7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (G♯°). These are the chords minor-key songs use to get back to the tonic.
Melodic minor
The 6th and 7th are raised a half step: the ii becomes minor (Bm) and the IV becomes major (D). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of A minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (Am and C) feels at rest; subdominant (B°, Dm, and F) moves away from home; dominant (E and G♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to Am.
Common progressions in A minor
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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Andalusian cadence
i–VII–VI–VA dramatic descent from flamenco, widely used in rock and Latin music.
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Basic minor
i–iv–V7Im–IVm–V7: the essentials of a minor key; the V7 brings the tension of the harmonic minor scale.
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IIm7(♭5)–V7–Im
iiø7–V7–i7The jazz and bolero cadence in a minor key.
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Epic minor pop
i–VI–III–VIIIm–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: a grand chorus in a minor key.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative major: C major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (no sharps or flats).
Parallel key: A major, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: D minor (a fifth below) and E minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
A minor is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for A minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of A minor?
Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F, and G. As seventh chords: Am7, Bm7(♭5), C7M, Dm7, Em7, F7M, and G7.
What is the relative of A minor?
C major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: no sharps or flats.
What is the key signature of A minor?
A minor has no sharps or flats in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in A minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Em) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (G♯, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes E (E7), which resolves strongly to Am.
What chord progressions work in A minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: Am G F E; i–iv–V7: Am Dm E7; iiø7–V7–i7: Bm7(♭5) E7 Am7; i–VI–III–VII: Am F C G.