i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of C Minor
The Key of C Minor
The chords in the key of C minor are Cm, Ddim, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭ and B♭.
The struggle key.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (B♭ · E♭ · A♭), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of C minor
Each degree of the C 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 | CmC · E♭ · G | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | DdimD · F · A♭ | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | E♭E♭ · G · B♭ | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | FmF · A♭ · C | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | GmG · B♭ · D | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | A♭A♭ · C · E♭ | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | B♭B♭ · D · F |
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 C minor
Beethoven wrote both the Fifth Symphony and the Pathétique sonata in C minor, and film composers still reach for it when something has to sound like a fight. Three flats, a strong dominant in G, and a tonic that lies well on piano. On guitar, capo at the third fret and play A-minor shapes.
Scale
The C 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: C Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The C minor key signature
B♭ · E♭ · A♭
C minor is written with 3 flats. Every B, E and A in the music is played flat unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, E♭ major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in C minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into C 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 C minor
- What chords are in the key of C minor?
- The key of C minor contains seven diatonic chords: Cm (i), Ddim (ii°), Eb (III), Fm (iv), Gm (v), Ab (VI), Bb (VII). Most songs in C minor lean on Cm, Fm and Gm — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of C minor?
- Eb major is the relative major of C minor. Both keys share the same key signature (3 flats) and exactly the same seven notes — Eb major simply treats Eb as home instead of C, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in C minor to play on guitar?
- C minor has no open guitar shapes — every diatonic chord needs a barre or a movable grip in standard tuning. Most guitarists capo and play open shapes from an easier key instead.
Learn the theory
Read up on C 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.