Key

The key of D♯ minor · 6 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯

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: F♯ major — the same notes and key signature. Scale: D♯ minor scale.

Notes in the key

D♯E♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯

Chords in D♯ 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 D♯m

D♯ F♯ A♯

ii° E♯dim

E♯ G♯ B

III F♯

F♯ A♯ C♯

iv G♯m

G♯ B D♯

v A♯m

A♯ C♯ E♯

VI B

B D♯ F♯

VII C♯

C♯ E♯ G♯

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 A♯

A♯ C𝄪 E♯

V7 A♯7

A♯ C𝄪 E♯ G♯

vii°7 C𝄪dim7

C𝄪 E♯ G♯ B

Common progressions in D♯ minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯ The minor cadence i–iv–V–i D♯m – G♯m – A♯ – D♯m The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V D♯m – C♯ – B – A♯

Circle of fifths

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