F Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of F minor

The key of F minor has 4 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). Its scale is F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ and its seven chords are Fm, Gdim, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭ and E♭. The most common progression is Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭. Its relative key is A flat major. With a capo on fret 1, you can play it with the shapes of E minor.

The chords in the key

Fm is home and B♭m darkens it. The natural fifth chord, Cm, resolves softly; swap it for C7 and it pulls hard towards Fm. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	Fm	F – A♭ – C	Tonic: home	Fm7
ii°	Gdim	G – B♭ – D♭	Subdominant	—
III	A♭	A♭ – C – E♭	Relative major	A♭maj7
iv	B♭m	B♭ – D♭ – F	Subdominant	B♭m7
v	Cm	C – E♭ – G	Minor dominant	Cm7
VI	D♭	D♭ – F – A♭	Subdominant (epic colour)	D♭maj7
VII	E♭	E♭ – G – B♭	Subtonic	E♭7

Scale

F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭

With a capo

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

Capo on fret 1: play the shapes of E minor
Capo on fret 3: play the shapes of D minor

Common progressions

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

Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
Fm – B♭m – Cm – Fm i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
Fm – E♭ – D♭ – C i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
Fm – B♭m – C7 – Fm i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of F minor?

Its seven chords are Fm, Gdim, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭ and E♭.

How many sharps or flats does F minor have?

It has 4 flats in the key signature (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).

What is the relative key of F minor?

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