Key

The key of A minor · No sharps or flats

Minor keys sound darker and more serious. Songs in minor keys usually borrow a major V chord from the harmonic minor scale for a stronger pull home.

Relative major: C major — the same notes and key signature. Parallel major: A major. Scale: A minor scale.

Notes in the key

ABCDEFG

Chords in A minor

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

i Am

A C E

ii° Bdim

B D F

III C

C E G

iv Dm

D F A

v Em

E G B

VI F

F A C

VII G

G B D

Borrowed from harmonic minor

Raising the 7th note turns v into a major V (and V7) — the chord that makes minor-key songs resolve so strongly.

V E

E G♯ B

V7 E7

E G♯ B D

vii°7 G♯dim7

G♯ B D F

Common progressions in A minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII Am – F – C – G The minor cadence i–iv–V–i Am – Dm – E – Am The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V Am – G – F – E

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so A minor’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative major sits on the outer ring. Click any key to open it.