Chords in the key of C minor
The key of C minor (natural minor) has the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭ and the chords Cm, D°, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, and B♭. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone B: G (G7) and B°. Key signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭). Relative major: E flat major.
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A♭
- B♭
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Gm) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Cm | Cm7 | tonic |
| ii° | D° | Dm7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | E♭ | E♭7M | tonic |
| iv | Fm | Fm7 | subdominant |
| v | Gm | Gm7 | dominant |
| VI | A♭ | A♭7M | subdominant |
| VII | B♭ | B♭7 | 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 (B): the V becomes major (G, or G7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (B°). 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 (Dm) and the IV becomes major (F). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of C minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (Cm and E♭) feels at rest; subdominant (D°, Fm, and A♭) moves away from home; dominant (G and B°) builds tension and wants to go back to Cm.
Common progressions in C 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: E flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭)).
Parallel key: C 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: F minor (a fifth below) and G minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
C 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 C minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of C minor?
Cm, D°, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, and B♭. As seventh chords: Cm7, Dm7(♭5), E♭7M, Fm7, Gm7, A♭7M, and B♭7.
What is the relative of C minor?
E flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
What is the key signature of C minor?
C minor has 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭) in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in C minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Gm) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (B, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes G (G7), which resolves strongly to Cm.
What chord progressions work in C minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: Cm B♭ A♭ G; i–iv–V7: Cm Fm G7; iiø7–V7–i7: Dm7(♭5) G7 Cm7; i–VI–III–VII: Cm A♭ E♭ B♭.