i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of A Minor
The Key of A Minor
The chords in the key of A minor are Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F and G.
The relative minor of C — the first minor key everyone learns.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (no sharps or flats), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of A minor
Each degree of the A minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | AmA · C · E | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | BdimB · D · F | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | CC · E · G | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | DmD · F · A | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | EmE · G · B | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | FF · A · C | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | GG · B · D |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in A minor
A minor uses the same seven notes as C major with a different centre of gravity, so it costs nothing extra to read. Am, Dm and Em are all easy open shapes on guitar, and on piano it is still all white keys. That combination makes it the first minor key almost every player learns, on any instrument.
Scale
The A minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: A Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The A minor key signature
No sharps, no flats
A minor is written with no sharps or flats. Nothing is altered, so every note is a white key on a piano. Its relative major, C major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in A minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into A minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of A minor
- What chords are in the key of A minor?
- The key of A minor contains seven diatonic chords: Am (i), Bdim (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI), G (VII). Most songs in A minor lean on Am, Dm and Em — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of A minor?
- C major is the relative major of A minor. Both keys share the same key signature (no sharps or flats) and exactly the same seven notes — C major simply treats C as home instead of A, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in A minor to play on guitar?
- Am, C, Dm and Em are the open shapes in A minor — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on A minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.