The key of B minor has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). The notes of the scale are B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A and its diatonic chords are Bm, C#°, D, Em, F#m, G, A.
B minor scale
Natural minor scale: B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G · A · B
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G · A♯ · B
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bm | B D F♯ | |
| ii° | C#° | C♯ E G | |
| III | D | D F♯ A | |
| iv | Em | E G B | |
| v | F#m | F♯ A C♯ | |
| VI | G | G B D | |
| VII | A | A C♯ E | |
| V | F# | F♯ A♯ C♯ |
In practice, minor keys almost always use F# (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Bm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bm7 | B D F♯ A | |
| ii° | C#m7(b5) | C♯ E G B | |
| III | D7M | D F♯ A C♯ | |
| iv | Em7 | E G B D | |
| v | F#m7 | F♯ A C♯ E | |
| VI | G7M | G B D F♯ | |
| VII | A7 | A C♯ E G | |
| V7 | F#7 | F♯ A♯ C♯ E |
Common progressions in B minor
- Bm – Em – F# – Bm (i – iv – V – i)
- Bm – G – D – A (i – VI – III – VII)
- C#° – F# – Bm (ii° – V – i)
- Bm – A – G – F# (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of B minor is D major: same notes, starting from D.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of B minor?
In the natural minor: Bm, C#°, D, Em, F#m, G, A. In practice the major F# is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (A♯); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (G♯ and A♯) going up.
What is the relative major of B minor?
D major, which uses the same notes.