C minor key chords

The key of C minor can be connected to seven main chords, built from the notes in the key. To that, more expanded chords can be added. The table below lists chords that are part of this key.

The table shows the relationship of all triads in this key. The roman numerals indicate scale degrees, but are also used to describe the function of the chord.

Triad chords in Cm key

i	ii°	III	iv	v	VI	VII
Cm	Ddim	Eb	Fm	Gm	Ab	Bb

Note the key includes three minor and three major chords plus one, less common, diminished chord.

Note that C minor is relative to Eb major and both include the same chords. Because there are three minor scales (Natural, Melodic and Harmonic), the C minor key can also include chords that normally aren't connected to Eb major.

Basic Cm chord progressions

The main chords in the C minor key are commonly played with barre fingerings on the guitar, one option is to use open C Minor tuning. Here are some examples with progressions based on the Cm key including triads:

Cm - Ab - Bb - Cm

Cm - Bb - Fm

Cm - Eb - Bb

Eb - Fm - Cm

Eb - Gm - Ab - Gm

The typical way to start and/or end the progression is with the i chord in a minor key.

Four-note chords in Cm key

i7	ii7b5	IIImaj7	iv7	v7	VImaj7	VII7
Cm7	Dm7b5	Ebmaj7	Fm7	Gm7	Abmaj7	Bb7

Note that the key now includes a half-diminished chord (ii7b5) and a dominant seventh chord (VII7) in addition to the minor and major chords.

Cm chord progressions

Here are some examples with progressions based on the Cm key including extended chords:

Cm7 - Fm7 - Bb7 - Ebmaj7

Cm - Ab - Ebmaj7 - Bb

Ebmaj7 - Fm7 - Gm7 - Cm7

Melodic and Harmonic C minor

Besides the natural minor scale, the melodic and harmonic scales can also be used as a foundation for chords progressions. The harmonic minor differs from the natural minor with a raised seventh; the melodic minor differs from the natural minor with raised sixth and seventh. Still, the majority of songs written in minor keys use the natural minor.

Triad chords in C Melodic minor

i	ii	III+	IV	V	VI°	VII°
Cm	Dm	Ebaug	F	G	Adim	Bdim

Note that the composition of chords now includes one augmented chord and two diminished chords. These chord groups are less convenient for creating chord progressions this will lessen the potential for the Melodic minor in this area.

One example with progression based on the Cm Melodic is:

Dm - G - F - Cm

Triad chords in C Harmonic minor

i	ii°	III+	iv	v	VI	VII°
Cm	Ddim	Ebaug	Fm	G	Ab	Bdim

In this case, the composition of chords involves one augmented chord and two diminished chords, which gives similar aspects to the Melodic scale.

One example with progression based on the Cm Harmonic is:

Fm - Ab - G - Cm

See also:

G minor key chords
Key and chord chart
Dorian mode chord chart
Lydian mode chord chart
Mixolydian mode chord chart
Phrygian mode chord chart