Chords in the key of G minor

The key of G minor (natural minor) has the notes G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, and F and the chords Gm, A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, and F. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone F♯: D (D7) and F♯°. Key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭). Relative major: B flat major.

G
A
B♭
C
D
E♭
F

Natural minor

The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (Dm) and barely pulls back to the tonic.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Gm	Gm7	tonic
ii°	A°	Am7(♭5)	subdominant
III	B♭	B♭7M	tonic
iv	Cm	Cm7	subdominant
v	Dm	Dm7	dominant
VI	E♭	E♭7M	subdominant
VII	F	F7	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 (F♯): the V becomes major (D, or D7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (F♯°). These are the chords minor-key songs use to get back to the tonic.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Gm	Gm(7M)	tonic
ii°	A°	Am7(♭5)	subdominant
III+	B♭+	B♭7M(♯5)	tonic
iv	Cm	Cm7	subdominant
V	D	D7	dominant
VI	E♭	E♭7M	subdominant
vii°	F♯°	F♯°7	dominant

Melodic minor

The 6th and 7th are raised a half step: the ii becomes minor (Am) and the IV becomes major (C). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.

Degree	Triad	Seventh chord	Function
i	Gm	Gm(7M)	tonic
ii	Am	Am7	subdominant
III+	B♭+	B♭7M(♯5)	tonic
IV	C	C7	subdominant
V	D	D7	dominant
vi°	E°	Em7(♭5)	subdominant
vii°	F♯°	F♯m7(♭5)	dominant

The chords of G minor on the piano

What each chord does

Tonic (Gm and B♭) feels at rest; subdominant (A°, Cm, and E♭) moves away from home; dominant (D and F♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to Gm.

Common progressions in G minor

Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.

Andalusian cadence
i–VII–VI–V

A dramatic descent from flamenco, widely used in rock and Latin music.
- Gm
- F
- E♭
- D
Play it in the backing track
Basic minor
i–iv–V7

Im–IVm–V7: the essentials of a minor key; the V7 brings the tension of the harmonic minor scale.
- Gm
- Cm
- D7
Play it in the backing track
IIm7(♭5)–V7–Im
iiø7–V7–i7

The jazz and bolero cadence in a minor key.
Play it in the backing track
Epic minor pop
i–VI–III–VII

Im–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: a grand chorus in a minor key.
- Gm
- E♭
- B♭
- F
Play it in the backing track

Relative and parallel keys

Relative major: B flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (2 flats (B♭, E♭)).

Parallel key: G 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: C minor (a fifth below) and D minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.

Circle of fifths

G 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 G minor

G natural minor scale on guitar G harmonic minor scale on guitar G melodic minor scale on guitar Transpose a chord chart to another key Play in G minor with easy shapes: E minor shapes with the capo on the 3rd fret

Chords in other keys

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of G minor?

Gm, A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, and F. As seventh chords: Gm7, Am7(♭5), B♭7M, Cm7, Dm7, E♭7M, and F7.

What is the relative of G minor?

B flat major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 2 flats (B♭, E♭).

What is the key signature of G minor?

G minor has 2 flats (B♭, E♭) in its key signature.

Why is the V chord major in G minor?

In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (Dm) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (F♯, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes D (D7), which resolves strongly to Gm.

What chord progressions work in G minor?

The most common: i–VII–VI–V: Gm F E♭ D; i–iv–V7: Gm Cm D7; iiø7–V7–i7: Am7(♭5) D7 Gm7; i–VI–III–VII: Gm E♭ B♭ F.