Chords in the key of F minor
The key of F minor (natural minor) has the notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭ and the chords Fm, G°, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, and E♭. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone E: C (C7) and E°. Key signature: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). Relative major: A flat major.
- F
- G
- A♭
- B♭
- C
- D♭
- E♭
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Cm) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Fm | Fm7 | tonic |
| ii° | G° | Gm7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | A♭ | A♭7M | tonic |
| iv | B♭m | B♭m7 | subdominant |
| v | Cm | Cm7 | dominant |
| VI | D♭ | D♭7M | subdominant |
| VII | E♭ | E♭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 (E): the V becomes major (C, or C7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (E°). 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 (Gm) and the IV becomes major (B♭). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of F minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (Fm and A♭) feels at rest; subdominant (G°, B♭m, and D♭) moves away from home; dominant (C and E°) builds tension and wants to go back to Fm.
Common progressions in F 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: A flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭)).
Parallel key: F 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: B flat minor (a fifth below) and C minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
F 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 F minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of F minor?
Fm, G°, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, and E♭. As seventh chords: Fm7, Gm7(♭5), A♭7M, B♭m7, Cm7, D♭7M, and E♭7.
What is the relative of F minor?
A flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
What is the key signature of F minor?
F minor has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭) in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in F minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Cm) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (E, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes C (C7), which resolves strongly to Fm.
What chord progressions work in F minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: Fm E♭ D♭ C; i–iv–V7: Fm B♭m C7; iiø7–V7–i7: Gm7(♭5) C7 Fm7; i–VI–III–VII: Fm D♭ A♭ E♭.