Chords in the key of D sharp minor
The key of D sharp minor (natural minor) has the notes D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, and C♯ and the chords D♯m, E♯°, F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, and C♯. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone C𝄪: A♯ (A♯7) and C𝄪°. Key signature: 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). Relative major: F sharp major.
- D♯
- E♯
- F♯
- G♯
- A♯
- B
- C♯
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (A♯m) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | D♯m | D♯m7 | tonic |
| ii° | E♯° | E♯m7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | F♯ | F♯7M | tonic |
| iv | G♯m | G♯m7 | subdominant |
| v | A♯m | A♯m7 | dominant |
| VI | B | B7M | subdominant |
| VII | C♯ | C♯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 (C𝄪): the V becomes major (A♯, or A♯7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (C𝄪°). 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 (E♯m) and the IV becomes major (G♯). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of D sharp minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (D♯m and F♯) feels at rest; subdominant (E♯°, G♯m, and B) moves away from home; dominant (A♯ and C𝄪°) builds tension and wants to go back to D♯m.
Common progressions in D sharp 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: F sharp major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯)).
Parallel key: E flat 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: G sharp minor (a fifth below) and B flat minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
D sharp 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 D sharp minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of D sharp minor?
D♯m, E♯°, F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, and C♯. As seventh chords: D♯m7, E♯m7(♭5), F♯7M, G♯m7, A♯m7, B7M, and C♯7.
What is the relative of D sharp minor?
F sharp major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯).
What is the key signature of D sharp minor?
D sharp minor has 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯) in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in D sharp minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (A♯m) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (C𝄪, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes A♯ (A♯7), which resolves strongly to D♯m.
What chord progressions work in D sharp minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: D♯m C♯ B A♯; i–iv–V7: D♯m G♯m A♯7; iiø7–V7–i7: E♯m7(♭5) A♯7 D♯m7; i–VI–III–VII: D♯m B F♯ C♯.