B Minor
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | B |
| Mode | Minor |
| Accidentals | 2 sharps |
| Key Signature Notes | F♯, C♯ |
B minor has two sharps (F♯, C♯) and a dark, melancholic quality. It is frequently used in rock, classical, and film music, particularly for introspective or emotional passages.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of B Minor — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Minor | B Minor |
| 2 | ii° | Diminished | C♯ Diminished |
| 3 | III | Major | D Major |
| 4 | iv | Minor | E Minor |
| 5 | v | Minor | F♯ Minor |
| 6 | VI | Major | G Major |
| 7 | VII | Major | A Major |
Related Keys
- Relative Major
- D Major — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Major
- B Major — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in B Minor
Common scales built from the B tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Sharp-key signatures like B Minor are comfortable for open-string instruments (guitar, violin). B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in C♯ minor to sound B Minor. E♭ instruments (alto saxophone, E♭ clarinet) read in G♯ minor to sound B Minor. Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) resonates naturally in B Minor.