music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

C minor: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with C minor (3 ♭): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

C minor has 3 ♭ (Bb, Eb, Ab) in its key signature.

The C minor scale is: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C.

The diatonic chords are Cm (i), Ddim (ii°), Eb (III), Fm (iv), Gm (v), Ab (VI) and Bb (VII). The main functions are Cm (tonic), Fm (subdominant) and Gm (dominant).

In harmonic minor the 7th degree is raised (B); this turns the dominant into the major chord G.

The relative major is Eb major. In the circle of fifths, F minor (a fifth lower) and G minor (a fifth higher) sit right next to C minor.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 is in C minor, as is Chopin's "Revolutionary" Étude (Op. 10 No. 12).

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

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