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Key

Key of C minor

C minor is spelled C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. Signature: 3 flats (B♭ E♭ A♭).

  • 3 flats
  • Relative E♭
  • Play the scale

C minor

Notes, signature and the chords of the key

C minor uses 3 flats (B♭ E♭ A♭). Its relative major is E♭ major. The scale is C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭.

DegreeChordRoot frequency
iC minor261.63 Hz
ii°D diminished293.66 Hz
IIIE♭ major311.13 Hz
ivF minor349.23 Hz
vG minor392.00 Hz
VIA♭ major415.30 Hz
VIIB♭ major466.16 Hz

Tonic note page: C4. Matching scale page: C minor scale.

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Scale and interval drills in the app use these same spellings and the same piano.

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Explore the cluster

C major The parallel key, same tonic, other mode. Parallel key → C minor scale The scale on its own, with playback. Play the scale → C minor chord Just the tonic chord, with its notes and frequencies. Tonic chord →

FAQ

C minor questions

How many sharps or flats are in C minor?

3 flats (B♭ E♭ A♭).

What is the relative major of C minor?

E♭ major, which shares this signature.

Are these chord qualities for the harmonic minor?

No. Minor keys on this page use the natural minor, so the v chord is minor. Harmonic and melodic minor are a later batch.