Minor Key Chords
Let’s look at how to find chords for the key of G minor. We can use these chords to create chord progressions and play creatively in that key!
How to Find Chords for the Key of G Minor
To find the chords for the key of G minor, we’ll first need to build a G minor scale.
There are different types of minor scales, so we’ll start with a G natural minor scale. Natural minor scales each have a relative major scale on the piano. This means these two scales use the same notes to build their scales, but start and end on different notes. Natural minor scales are built off the sixth note of their relative major scale.
G natural minor is relative to B flat major, since G is the sixth note of the B flat major scale. Since these two scales share the same notes, they also share the same chords, just in a different order.
Here are the notes for a G natural minor scale:
G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G
Now we’ll start building a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Starting on G, we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale: G – B♭ – D
Then we’ll start on A and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale: A – C – E♭
Then we’ll start on B♭ and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using the notes of the scale to build the chord: B♭ – D – F
We can continue following this pattern, building a “1 – 3 – 5” chord, or “triad”, off each note of the scale, and 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 G Minor
Here are the chords for the key of G minor:
A – C – E♭ = A diminished chord
B♭ – D – F = B♭ major chord
E♭ – G – B♭ = E♭ major chord
F – A – C = F major chord
How Do We Label the Chords?
You may be wondering how we know the difference between major, minor, and diminished chords. It all depends on the intervals used to build the chords (learn more about piano intervals here).
But to summarize, there are actually four types of “1 – 3 – 5” chords, or triads:
Major chords are built with 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 to build the chords, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Major
Minor
Minor
Major
Major
We can use this pattern for other minor keys!
Primary Chords for G Minor
Each minor key has three primary chords built off the first, fourth and fifth notes of the scale. Primary chords are used frequently in songs.
The primary chords for G minor are:
G minor
C minor
D minor
How to Find Chords for G Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Now let’s find the chords for G minor using the harmonic minor scale.
Harmonic minor scales are similar to natural minor scales, except the seventh note is raised 1/2 step.
Here’s a G harmonic minor scale:
G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F♯ – G
Now we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords as before.
Chords for G Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Here are the chords for G minor using the harmonic minor scale:
A – C – E♭ = A diminished chord
B♭ – D – F♯ = B♭ augmented chord
E♭ – G – B♭ = E♭ major chord
F♯ – A – C = F♯ diminished chord
Labeling the Chords
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of a harmonic minor scale, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Minor
Major
Major
Diminished
Primary Chords for G Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
The primary chords for G minor, using the harmonic minor scale, are:
G minor
C minor
D 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, creating a nice contrast in the music.
Conclusion
Now you can use these chords to create chord progressions and play creatively! And you can use these patterns in other minor keys!
Using chords to learn and play the piano is so much fun, and provides lots of room for creativity. And seeing the patterns on the piano helps it start to come to life!
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