The key of C minor has 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭). The notes of the scale are C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭ and its diatonic chords are Cm, D°, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb.
C minor scale
Natural minor scale: C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B · C
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): C · D · E♭ · F · G · A · B · C
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Cm | C E♭ G | |
| ii° | D° | D F A♭ | |
| III | Eb | E♭ G B♭ | |
| iv | Fm | F A♭ C | |
| v | Gm | G B♭ D | |
| VI | Ab | A♭ C E♭ | |
| VII | Bb | B♭ D F | |
| V | G | G B D |
In practice, minor keys almost always use G (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Cm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | |
| ii° | Dm7(b5) | D F A♭ C | |
| III | Eb7M | E♭ G B♭ D | |
| iv | Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | |
| v | Gm7 | G B♭ D F | |
| VI | Ab7M | A♭ C E♭ G | |
| VII | Bb7 | B♭ D F A♭ | |
| V7 | G7 | G B D F |
Common progressions in C minor
- Cm – Fm – G – Cm (i – iv – V – i)
- Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb (i – VI – III – VII)
- D° – G – Cm (ii° – V – i)
- Cm – Bb – Ab – G (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of C minor is E♭ major: same notes, starting from E♭.
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 C minor?
In the natural minor: Cm, D°, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb. In practice the major G is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (B); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (A and B) going up.
What is the relative major of C minor?
E♭ major, which uses the same notes.