A Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of A minor

The key of A minor has no sharps or flats in the key signature. Its scale is A – B – C – D – E – F – G and its seven chords are Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F and G. The most common progression is Am – F – C – G. Its relative key is C major. With a capo on fret 5, you can play it with the shapes of E minor.

The chords in the key

Am is home and Dm darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Em, resolves softly; swap it for E7 and it pulls hard towards Am. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Am	A – C – E	Tonic: home	Am7
ii°	Bdim	B – D – F	Subdominant	—
III	C	C – E – G	Relative major	Cmaj7
iv	Dm	D – F – A	Subdominant	Dm7
v	Em	E – G – B	Minor dominant	Em7
VI	F	F – A – C	Subdominant (epic colour)	Fmaj7
VII	G	G – B – D	Subtonic	G7

Scale

A – B – C – D – E – F – G

With a capo

To make a song sound in A minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of E minor
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of D minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

Am – F – C – G i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Am – Dm – Em – Am i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Am – G – F – E i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Am – Dm – E7 – Am i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of A minor?

Its seven chords are Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F and G.

How many sharps or flats does A minor have?

It has no sharps or flats in the key signature.

What is the relative key of A minor?

Its relative key is C major: they share the same notes and chords.