C Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of C minor

The key of C minor has 3 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭). Its scale is C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ and its seven chords are Cm, Ddim, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭ and B♭. The most common progression is Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭. Its relative key is E flat major. With a capo on fret 3, you can play it with the shapes of A minor.

The chords in the key

Cm is home and Fm darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Gm, resolves softly; swap it for G7 and it pulls hard towards Cm. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Cm	C – E♭ – G	Tonic: home	Cm7
ii°	Ddim	D – F – A♭	Subdominant	—
III	E♭	E♭ – G – B♭	Relative major	E♭maj7
iv	Fm	F – A♭ – C	Subdominant	Fm7
v	Gm	G – B♭ – D	Minor dominant	Gm7
VI	A♭	A♭ – C – E♭	Subdominant (epic colour)	A♭maj7
VII	B♭	B♭ – D – F	Subtonic	B♭7

Scale

C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭

With a capo

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

Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of A minor

Common progressions

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

Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Cm – Fm – Gm – Cm i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Cm – B♭ – A♭ – G i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Cm – Fm – G7 – Cm i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of C minor?

Its seven chords are Cm, Ddim, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭ and B♭.

How many sharps or flats does C minor have?

It has 3 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭).

What is the relative key of C minor?

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