B Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of B minor

The key of B minor has 2 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯). Its scale is B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A and its seven chords are Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G and A. The most common progression is Bm – G – D – A. Its relative key is D major. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of A minor.

The chords in the key

Bm is home and Em darkens it. The natural fifth chord, F♯m, resolves softly; swap it for F♯7 and it pulls hard towards Bm. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Bm	B – D – F♯	Tonic: home	Bm7
ii°	C♯dim	C♯ – E – G	Subdominant	—
III	D	D – F♯ – A	Relative major	Dmaj7
iv	Em	E – G – B	Subdominant	Em7
v	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Minor dominant	F♯m7
VI	G	G – B – D	Subdominant (epic colour)	Gmaj7
VII	A	A – C♯ – E	Subtonic	A7

Scale

B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A

With a capo

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

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of A minor
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of E minor

Common progressions

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

Bm – G – D – A i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Bm – Em – F♯m – Bm i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Bm – A – G – F♯ i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Bm – Em – F♯7 – Bm i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of B minor?

Its seven chords are Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G and A.

How many sharps or flats does B minor have?

It has 2 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯).

What is the relative key of B minor?

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