A minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (8A)
A minor has no sharps or flats. Its chords are Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F and G. The relative major is C major and the Camelot code is 8A, so it mixes cleanly with 7A, 9A and 8B.
Notes in the A minor scale
A minor has no sharps or flats.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
Chords in A minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | A · C · E |
| ii° | B° | B · D · F |
| III | C | C · E · G |
| iv | Dm | D · F · A |
| v | Em | E · G · B |
| VI | F | F · A · C |
| VII | G | G · B · D |
In practice most songs in A minor swap the minor v for E. Raising the seventh note (G to G♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to A, so E to Am sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in A minor
- Am – F – C – G (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- Am – Dm – Em (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- Am – G – F – E (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- Am – Dm – G – C (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with A minor
A minor is 8A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 7A | D minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 9A | E minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 8B | C major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, C major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, A major, keeps A as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in A minor?
Am (i), B° (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI) and G (VII).
What is the relative major of A minor?
C major. It uses the same 7 notes, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, but centres on C instead of A.
What is the Camelot code for A minor?
8A. In Open Key notation it is 1m.
What keys mix well with A minor?
D minor (7A), E minor (9A) and C major (8B). They sit next to 8A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does A minor have?
No sharps or flats.