Chords in the Key of B minor
B minor has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). Its seven chords are Bm, C♯°, D, Em, F♯m, G, A, and the major F♯ (from the harmonic minor) is often used as the V chord. The relative major is D major.
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B minor scale
B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A. Key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
All chords in B minor
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Bm | B – D – F♯ | Bm7 | B – D – F♯ – A | tonic (home) |
| ii° | C♯° | C♯ – E – G | C♯m7♭5 | C♯ – E – G – B | subdominant |
| III | D | D – F♯ – A | Dmaj7 | D – F♯ – A – C♯ | relative major |
| iv | Em | E – G – B | Em7 | E – G – B – D | subdominant |
| v | F♯m | F♯ – A – C♯ | F♯m7 | F♯ – A – C♯ – E | dominant (minor) |
| VI | G | G – B – D | Gmaj7 | G – B – D – F♯ | submediant |
| VII | A | A – C♯ – E | A7 | A – C♯ – E – G | subtonic |
In minor keys the v chord (F♯m) is often replaced by a major V (F♯: F♯ – A♯ – C♯). It borrows the raised 7th (A♯) from the harmonic minor scale and pulls strongly back to Bm.
Common chord progressions in B minor
| Numerals | Chords in B minor |
|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | Bm – G – D – A |
| i – VII – VI – VII | Bm – A – G – A |
| i – iv – VI – V | Bm – Em – G – F♯ |
| i – iv – v – i | Bm – Em – F♯m – Bm |
Play them in the circle above, or get progressions from real songs in the chord progressions by genre tool.
Related keys
- Relative major: D major (same notes, different home chord).
- Parallel major: B major (same root; borrow chords from it for colour).
- Neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths: E minor and F♯ minor, one accidental away, for smooth key changes.
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Quick answers
What chords are in the key of B minor?
The chords in B minor are Bm, C♯°, D, Em, F♯m, G, A, plus F♯ as a major V chord. As 7th chords: Bm7, C♯m7♭5, Dmaj7, Em7, F♯m7, Gmaj7, A7.
How many sharps are in B minor?
B minor has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
What is the relative major of B minor?
D major. Both keys use the same notes and key signature (2 sharps (F♯, C♯)).
What is the v chord in B minor?
The natural v chord is F♯m (F♯ – A – C♯); most songs use the major V, F♯ (F♯ – A♯ – C♯).