Key

The key of C minor · 3 flats: B♭ E♭ A♭

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: E♭ major — the same notes and key signature. Parallel major: C major. Scale: C minor scale.

Notes in the key

CDE♭FGA♭B♭

Chords in C 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 Cm

C E♭ G

ii° Ddim

D F A♭

III E♭

E♭ G B♭

iv Fm

F A♭ C

v Gm

G B♭ D

VI A♭

A♭ C E♭

VII B♭

B♭ D F

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 G

G B D

V7 G7

G B D F

vii°7 Bdim7

B D F A♭

Common progressions in C minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ The minor cadence i–iv–V–i Cm – Fm – G – Cm The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V Cm – B♭ – A♭ – G

Circle of fifths

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