A minor scale

A minor

  • AR
  • B2
  • C♭3
  • D4
  • E5
  • F♭6
  • G♭7

Positions

123456789101112131415EFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFG

How it is built

  • Seven notes: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The half steps fall between B–C and E–F.
  • C is the flat third, the note that makes it minor. G is the flat seventh, a whole step below A, so the pull home is softer than in major.
  • Same notes as C major. Raise G to G♯ for harmonic minor and the V chord turns major.

Chords in the key of A minor

  1. iAm
  2. ii°Bdim
  3. IIIC
  4. ivDm
  5. vEm
  6. VIF
  7. VIIG
Build a progression in A minor →

Chords that fit A minor

Related keys

  • Relative: C major — same notes, different home
  • Parallel: A major — same root, different notes

Other A scales