i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of F Minor
The Key of F Minor
The chords in the key of F minor are Fm, Gdim, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭ and E♭.
Thick, low and heavy.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (B♭ · E♭ · A♭ · D♭), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of F minor
Each degree of the F 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 | FmF · A♭ · C | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | GdimG · B♭ · D♭ | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | A♭A♭ · C · E♭ | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | B♭mB♭ · D♭ · F | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | CmC · E♭ · G | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | D♭D♭ · F · A♭ | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | E♭E♭ · G · B♭ |
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 F minor
F minor is four flats deep with a tonic that needs a barre on guitar. Funk, soul and hip-hop production favour it because the register sits low without turning muddy, and because the bVI and bVII chords — Db and Eb — give a vamp somewhere to go without ever resolving brightly.
Scale
The F 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: F Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The F minor key signature
B♭ · E♭ · A♭ · D♭
F minor is written with 4 flats. Every B, E, A and D in the music is played flat unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, A♭ major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in F minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into F 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 F minor
- What chords are in the key of F minor?
- The key of F minor contains seven diatonic chords: Fm (i), Gdim (ii°), Ab (III), Bbm (iv), Cm (v), Db (VI), Eb (VII). Most songs in F minor lean on Fm, Bbm and Cm — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of F minor?
- Ab major is the relative major of F minor. Both keys share the same key signature (4 flats) and exactly the same seven notes — Ab major simply treats Ab as home instead of F, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in F minor to play on guitar?
- F 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 F 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.