C Minor Scale
C minor is a minor key with 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭). Its relative major is E♭ major and its Camelot code is 5A.
C minor scale notes
C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭
Formula: W · H · W · W · H · W · W (W = whole step, H = half step). Key signature: 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
- Tonic — C
- Supertonic — D
- Mediant — E♭
- Subdominant — F
- Dominant — G
- Submediant — A♭
- Subtonic — B♭
Harmonic and melodic minor
Harmonic minor (raised 7th): C D E♭ F G A♭ B
Melodic minor ascending (raised 6th and 7th): C D E♭ F G A B
Chords in C minor
i Cm, ii° Ddim, III E♭, iv Fm, v Gm, VI A♭, VII B♭
Seventh chords: i7 Cm7, iiø7 Dm7♭5, IIImaj7 E♭maj7, iv7 Fm7, v7 Gm7, VImaj7 A♭maj7, VII7 B♭7
Chord progressions in C minor
- i–VI–III–VII: Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb
- i–VII–VI–VII: Cm – Bb – Ab – Bb
- i–iv–v–i: Cm – Fm – Gm – Cm
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C minor scale?
The C minor scale is C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The formula is W–H–W–W–H–W–W (W = whole step, H = half step).
What chords are in the key of C minor?
The diatonic chords of C minor are i Cm, ii° Ddim, III E♭, iv Fm, v Gm, VI A♭, VII B♭.
What is the relative major of C minor?
The relative major of C minor is E♭ major. They share the same key signature (3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭)).