# Chords of a minor key

*Module 8 · Lesson 3: Harmony in a key · BazzLow*

> Build the chords of a minor key and know why V is usually major.

Before this lesson: [8.2 Roman numerals](https://bazzlow.com/en/harmony-in-a-key/roman-numerals/) · [6.4 The harmonic minor scale](https://bazzlow.com/en/minor-scales/harmonic-minor-scale/)

A minor key has its own family of chords. It is the same family as the relative major, with one important change near the top.

## From the natural minor

From the **natural minor** scale the diatonic triads are **i – ii° – III – iv – v – VI – VII**: in Am, Am B° C Dm Em F G; in Cm, Cm D° E♭ Fm Gm A♭ B♭. These are the same chords as the relative major (lesson 6.2), starting from a different place: Am’s chords are C major’s chords starting from Am. The numerals are counted from the minor tonic: III, VI and VII are the major chords on the ♭3, ♭6 and ♭7 of the minor scale.

## Why V is usually major

With the natural minor, the v chord is **minor**. It lacks the leading tone and pulls weakly to i. So minor keys very often use the **harmonic minor’s** raised 7th for the dominant: **V** becomes **major** (E in Am, G in Cm) and **vii°** is built on the leading tone (G♯° in Am).

*The chords of Am and Cm: natural minor, and the V and vii° from the harmonic minor in bold.*

| Key | i | ii° | III | iv | v / V | VI | VII | vii° |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Am | Am | B° | C | Dm | Em / **E** | F | G | **G♯°** |
| Cm | Cm | D° | E♭ | Fm | Gm / **G** | A♭ | B♭ | **B°** |

In practice a minor key mixes both: i, ii°, III, iv, **V** (or v), VI, VII (the natural one, a whole step below i), and sometimes vii°. This is **minor key harmony**.

## Try it

Play the arpeggio (1–3–5) of each chord of i–iv–v–i in Am (Am Dm Em Am), then of i–iv–V–i (Am Dm E Am). Over Em the line contains G; over E it contains G♯, which leads up to A. Hear how much stronger the return to Am is.

## New terms

- minor key harmony
- major dominant

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/harmony-in-a-key/minor-key-chords/