i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of B Minor
The Key of B Minor
The chords in the key of B minor are Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G and A.
Relative minor of D; Celtic and singer-songwriter territory.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯ · C♯), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of B minor
Each degree of the B 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 | BmB · D · F♯ | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | C♯dimC♯ · E · G | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | DD · F♯ · A | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | EmE · G · B | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | F♯mF♯ · A · C♯ | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | GG · B · D | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | AA · C♯ · E |
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 B minor
B minor inherits D major's ringing open A and D strings while asking for a barre on the tonic itself. It is a staple of Celtic and English folk repertoire and of moody singer-songwriter writing. Capo at the second fret and play Am shapes if you would rather not barre.
Scale
The B 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: B Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The B minor key signature
F♯ · C♯
B minor is written with 2 sharps. Every F and C in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, D major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in B minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into B 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 B minor
- What chords are in the key of B minor?
- The key of B minor contains seven diatonic chords: Bm (i), C#dim (ii°), D (III), Em (iv), F#m (v), G (VI), A (VII). Most songs in B minor lean on Bm, Em and F#m — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of B minor?
- D major is the relative major of B minor. Both keys share the same key signature (2 sharps) and exactly the same seven notes — D major simply treats D as home instead of B, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in B minor to play on guitar?
- D, Em, G and A are the open shapes in B 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 B 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.