The key of G minor has 2 flats (B♭, E♭). The notes of the scale are G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F and its diatonic chords are Gm, A°, Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F.
G minor scale
Natural minor scale: G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F · G
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F♯ · G
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): G · A · B♭ · C · D · E · F♯ · G
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Gm | G B♭ D | |
| ii° | A° | A C E♭ | |
| III | Bb | B♭ D F | |
| iv | Cm | C E♭ G | |
| v | Dm | D F A | |
| VI | Eb | E♭ G B♭ | |
| VII | F | F A C | |
| V | D | D F♯ A |
In practice, minor keys almost always use D (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to Gm.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Gm7 | G B♭ D F | |
| ii° | Am7(b5) | A C E♭ G | |
| III | Bb7M | B♭ D F A | |
| iv | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | |
| v | Dm7 | D F A C | |
| VI | Eb7M | E♭ G B♭ D | |
| VII | F7 | F A C E♭ | |
| V7 | D7 | D F♯ A C |
Common progressions in G minor
- Gm – Cm – D – Gm (i – iv – V – i)
- Gm – Eb – Bb – F (i – VI – III – VII)
- A° – D – Gm (ii° – V – i)
- Gm – F – Eb – D (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of G minor is B♭ major: same notes, starting from B♭.
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 G minor?
In the natural minor: Gm, A°, Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F. In practice the major D is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (F♯); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (E and F♯) going up.
What is the relative major of G minor?
B♭ major, which uses the same notes.