A Minor
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | A |
| Mode | Minor |
| Accidentals | 0 (no accidentals) |
| Key Signature Notes | None |
A minor is the relative minor of C major with no sharps or flats. It is one of the most commonly used minor keys and is the natural minor scale starting on A.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of A Minor — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Minor | A Minor |
| 2 | ii° | Diminished | B Diminished |
| 3 | III | Major | C Major |
| 4 | iv | Minor | D Minor |
| 5 | v | Minor | E Minor |
| 6 | VI | Major | F Major |
| 7 | VII | Major | G Major |
Related Keys
- Relative Major
- C Major — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Major
- A Major — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in A Minor
Common scales built from the A tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Sharp-key signatures like A Minor are comfortable for open-string instruments (guitar, violin). Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in B minor to sound A Minor. Eb instruments (alto saxophone, Eb clarinet) read in F# minor to sound A Minor. Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) resonates naturally in A Minor.