Chords in A minor
Am · Bdim · C · Dm · Em · F · G
i ii° III iv v VI VII · key signature none · scale A B C D E F G
Am — minor chord on degree 1 · inversions and fingering
Chord table for A minor
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Am | A – C – E | Am7 | tonic |
| ii° | Bdim | B – D – F | Bm7♭5 | predominant |
| III | C | C – E – G | Cmaj7 | tonic (relative major) |
| iv | Dm | D – F – A | Dm7 | predominant |
| v | Em | E – G – B | Em7 | dominant |
| VI | F | F – A – C | Fmaj7 | predominant |
| VII | G | G – B – D | G7 | subtonic |
In practice, minor-key music usually borrows from harmonic minor: raising the 7th note turns Em into E (V), which pulls far more strongly back to Am, and gives a diminished G♯dim (vii°).
Common progressions in A minor
- Am – G – F – E i–♭VII–♭VI–V · Andalusian
- Am – F – C – G i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII · Epic minor
- Bdim – E – Am – Am ii°–V–i–i · Minor ii–V–i
Related keys
Relative major: C major (same notes). Parallel major: A major (same tonic). See the A minor scale on piano or its place on the circle of fifths.
Other minor keys
Chords in A minor: questions
What chords are in the key of A minor?
The seven diatonic chords of A minor are Am (i), Bdim (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI), G (VII).
What are the 7th chords in A minor?
Am7 (i7), Bm7♭5 (iiø7), Cmaj7 (IIImaj7), Dm7 (iv7), Em7 (v7), Fmaj7 (VImaj7), G7 (VII7).
What are the three main chords in A minor?
The primary chords are Am (i), Dm (iv) and E (V, from harmonic minor) or Em (v). Together they contain every note of the scale.
How many sharps or flats does A minor have?
None — it uses only the white keys.
What is the relative major of A minor?
C major, which uses the same notes and key signature.