The key of F minor has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). The notes of the scale are F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭ and its diatonic chords are Fm, G°, Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb.
F minor scale
Natural minor scale: F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E · F
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E · F
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Fm | F A♭ C | |
| ii° | G° | G B♭ D♭ | |
| III | Ab | A♭ C E♭ | |
| iv | Bbm | B♭ D♭ F | |
| v | Cm | C E♭ G | |
| VI | Db | D♭ F A♭ | |
| VII | Eb | E♭ G B♭ | |
| V | C | C E G |
In practice, minor keys almost always use C (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Fm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | |
| ii° | Gm7(b5) | G B♭ D♭ F | |
| III | Ab7M | A♭ C E♭ G | |
| iv | Bbm7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | |
| v | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | |
| VI | Db7M | D♭ F A♭ C | |
| VII | Eb7 | E♭ G B♭ D♭ | |
| V7 | C7 | C E G B♭ |
Common progressions in F minor
- Fm – Bbm – C – Fm (i – iv – V – i)
- Fm – Db – Ab – Eb (i – VI – III – VII)
- G° – C – Fm (ii° – V – i)
- Fm – Eb – Db – C (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of F minor is A♭ major: same notes, starting from A♭.
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 F minor?
In the natural minor: Fm, G°, Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb. In practice the major C is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (E); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (D and E) going up.
What is the relative major of F minor?
A♭ major, which uses the same notes.