Chords in B minor
Bm · C♯dim · D · Em · F♯m · G · A
i ii° III iv v VI VII · key signature F♯ C♯ · scale B C♯ D E F♯ G A
Bm — minor chord on degree 1 · inversions and fingering
Chord table for B minor
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bm | B – D – F♯ | Bm7 | tonic |
| ii° | C♯dim | C♯ – E – G | C♯m7♭5 | predominant |
| III | D | D – F♯ – A | Dmaj7 | tonic (relative major) |
| iv | Em | E – G – B | Em7 | predominant |
| v | F♯m | F♯ – A – C♯ | F♯m7 | dominant |
| VI | G | G – B – D | Gmaj7 | predominant |
| VII | A | A – C♯ – E | A7 | subtonic |
In practice, minor-key music usually borrows from harmonic minor: raising the 7th note turns F♯m into F♯ (V), which pulls far more strongly back to Bm, and gives a diminished A♯dim (vii°).
Common progressions in B minor
- Bm – A – G – F♯ i–♭VII–♭VI–V · Andalusian
- Bm – G – D – A i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII · Epic minor
- C♯dim – F♯ – Bm – Bm ii°–V–i–i · Minor ii–V–i
Related keys
Relative major: D major (same notes). Parallel major: B major (same tonic). See the B minor scale on piano or its place on the circle of fifths.
Other minor keys
Chords in B minor: questions
What chords are in the key of B minor?
The seven diatonic chords of B minor are Bm (i), C♯dim (ii°), D (III), Em (iv), F♯m (v), G (VI), A (VII).
What are the 7th chords in B minor?
Bm7 (i7), C♯m7♭5 (iiø7), Dmaj7 (IIImaj7), Em7 (iv7), F♯m7 (v7), Gmaj7 (VImaj7), A7 (VII7).
What are the three main chords in B minor?
The primary chords are Bm (i), Em (iv) and F♯ (V, from harmonic minor) or F♯m (v). Together they contain every note of the scale.
How many sharps or flats does B minor have?
2 sharps: F♯, C♯.
What is the relative major of B minor?
D major, which uses the same notes and key signature.