C Minor
Cm minor has 3 flats. Its relative major is Eb and its parallel key is C. This page lists the signature, scale notes, diatonic chords, and go-to progressions, with tools that play the sound.
Key signature
Flats: 3 (Notes: Bb, Eb, Ab)
Scale notes
The notes that make up this scale, shown with their degrees.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | ♭6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | D# | F | G | G# | A# |
Diatonic chords
The chords that belong to this key, color-coded by role: T (tonic), SD (subdominant), D (dominant).
Triads
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ⅰm | Cm | C Eb G | T |
| Ⅱdim | Ddim | D F Ab | SD |
| Ⅲ | D# | D# G A# | T |
| Ⅳm | Fm | F Ab C | SD |
| Ⅴm | Gm | G Bb D | D |
| Ⅵ | G# | G# C D# | T |
| Ⅶ | A# | A# D F | D |
Seventh chords
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ⅰm7 | Cm7 | C Eb G Bb | T |
| Ⅱm7b5 | Dm7b5 | D F Ab C | SD |
| Ⅲmaj7 | D#maj7 | D# G A# D | T |
| Ⅳm7 | Fm7 | F Ab C Eb | SD |
| Ⅴm7 | Gm7 | G Bb D F | D |
| Ⅵmaj7 | G#maj7 | G# C D# G | T |
| Ⅶ7 | A#7 | A# D F Ab | D |
This table uses the natural minor. Raising the 7th (harmonic minor) turns V into G (V7 = G7) for a stronger resolution.
Related keys
Go-to progressions in this key
Common progressions written out with the real chord names for this key. Play them in the progression player to hear them.
| Progression | Chords | |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusian Cadence | Cm - Bdim - G# - G | ▶ Play in player |
| Minor II-V-I | Dm7b5 - G7 - Cm7 | ▶ Play in player |
| Rock Power Progression | Cm - A# - Fm - Cm | ▶ Play in player |
Hear it with the tools
Links that open each tool preset to this key.
Related articles
Articles for anyone who wants to understand keys and signatures more deeply.