Minor Key Chords
Let’s find all the chords belonging to the key of A minor on the piano. We can use these chords to create chord progressions and play creatively in that key! Minor keys are really enjoyable to use, and lend themselves naturally to a more somber and reflective mood.
How to Find Chords for the Key of A Minor
To find chords for the key of A minor, we’ll first need to build an A minor scale.
There are different types of minor scales, so we’ll start with the natural minor scale. A natural minor is relative to C major. This means these two scales use the same notes to build their scales, but start and end on different notes. Since these two scales are relatives, their chords will be the same, but will be in a different order.
Here are the notes for an A natural minor scale:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A
Now we’ll start building a chord off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Starting with A, we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord using the notes of the scale. When we do, we get our first chord: A – C – E
Then we’ll start on B and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale. When we do, we get: B – D – F
Next we’ll start on C and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale: C – E – G
We can continue following this pattern, building a “1 – 3 – 5” chord (also called a “triad”) off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Chords for Minor Keys Printable
Learn the chords for each minor key with this 40-page PDF! Chords are built with both the natural minor and harmonic minor scales.
Chords for the Key of A Minor
Here are the chords for the key of A minor:
B – D – F = B diminished chord
E – G – B = E minor chord
F – A – C = F major chord
How Do We Label the Chords?
You might be wondering how we know if a chord is major, minor, or diminished. It all depends on the intervals used to build the chords (learn about intervals here).
But to summarize, there are actually four types of “1 – 3 – 5” chords:
Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
Minor chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the middle note is lowered 1/2 step.
Augmented chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are raised 1/2 step.
Diminished chords are built with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are lowered 1/2 step.
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of a natural minor scale, using only the notes of the scale, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Major
Minor
Minor
Major
Major
We can use this pattern with other minor keys!
Primary Chords for A Minor
Each minor key has three “primary” chords. Primary chords are the chords used most often in that key, and they’re built off the first, fourth and fifth notes of the scale.
The primary chords for A minor are:
A minor
D minor
E minor
How to Find Chords for A Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Now let’s build the chords off the A harmonic minor scale.
Harmonic minor scales are similar to natural minor scales, except the seventh note has been raised 1/2 step.
Here are the notes for an A harmonic minor scale:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯ – A
Next we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the A harmonic minor scale, using only the notes of the scale as before.
Chords for A Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Here are the chords for A minor using the harmonic minor scale:
B – D – F = B diminished chord
C – E – G♯ = C augmented chord
E – G♯ – B = E major chord
F – A – C = F major chord
G♯ – B – D = G diminished chord
Labeling the Chords
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the scale, using the harmonic minor scale to build the chords, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Minor
Major
Major
Diminished
Primary Chords for A Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
The primary chords for A minor, based on the harmonic minor scale are:
A minor
D minor
E major
When we use the harmonic minor scale instead of the natural minor scale to build the chords, the third primary chord becomes major instead of minor, adding some nice variety and contrast.
Conclusion
Now you can use these chords to create chord progressions and play creatively at the piano! And you can use these patterns in other minor keys!
Chords are a wonderful way to learn and enjoy the piano, and provide lots of room for creativity.
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