C Minor Scale Chords & Notes
Complete harmonic reference guide for the C Minor scale. Relative key: E♭ Major. Scale notes: C - D - E♭ - F - G - A♭ - B♭.
The C minor scale consists of the seven pitches C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭, containing three flats in its key signature. Its diatonic triads are C minor (i), D diminished (ii°), E♭ major (III), F minor (iv), G minor (v), A♭ major (VI), and B♭ major (VII), indexed under Camelot code 5A.
All 7 Diatonic Chords in C Minor
| Degree | Chord Name | Symbol | Triad Formula | Chord Notes | Harmonic Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | C Minor | Cm | 1 - ♭3 - 5 | C - E♭ - G | Tonal home and resting resolution |
| ii° | D Diminished | Ddim | 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 | D - F - A♭ | High tension dissonance leading to dominant |
| III | E♭ Major | E♭ | 1 - 3 - 5 | E♭ - G - B♭ | Relative major lift and bright contrast |
| iv | F Minor | Fm | 1 - ♭3 - 5 | F - A♭ - C | Deep melancholic movement away from home |
| v | G Minor | Gm | 1 - ♭3 - 5 | G - B♭ - D | Soft minor cadence; often sharpened to G major in harmonic minor |
| VI | A♭ Major | A♭ | 1 - 3 - 5 | A♭ - C - E♭ | Powerful emotional surge and cinematic lift |
| VII | B♭ Major | B♭ | 1 - 3 - 5 | B♭ - D - F | Driving pop/rock resolution back to i |
Famous Chord Progressions in C Minor
The most popular modern minor progression across cinematic, EDM, and rock genres.
Classic natural minor narrative progression with brooding emotional weight.
Resolves with a harmonic major V chord for maximum leading-tone tension.
Emotional Character & Production Context
Tragic, heroic, declarations of profound love, and dramatic tension. Widely used in orchestral music (Beethoven's 5th Symphony) and modern cinematic trap.
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Frequently Asked Questions About C Minor
What chords are in the key of C minor?
The 7 diatonic chords in C natural minor are Cm (i), Ddim (ii°), E♭ (III), Fm (iv), Gm (v), A♭ (VI), and B♭ (VII). In harmonic minor, the fifth chord becomes G Major (V).
What is the relative major of C minor?
The relative major of C minor is E♭ Major. Both keys share the exact same key signature of three flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
What is the Camelot wheel code for C minor?
C minor corresponds to Camelot code 5A on the harmonic mixing wheel, transitioning smoothly into 4A (F minor), 6A (G minor), or 5B (E♭ Major).