A minor scale on piano
The A minor scale uses the notes A - B - C - D - E - F - G and has no sharps or flats. This page shows the natural minor scale.
Numbers on the keys are right-hand fingers (1 = thumb, 5 = little finger).
A minor scale fingering
| Hand | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practice each hand alone, slowly, until the thumb crossing feels smooth. Then play hands together at a tempo where you make no mistakes, and raise it a little each day.
Chords in A minor
Build a triad on every note of the scale and you get the seven chords that belong to this key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | A minor | A - C - E |
| ii° | B diminished | B - D - F |
| III | C major | C - E - G |
| iv | D minor | D - F - A |
| v | E minor | E - G - B |
| VI | F major | F - A - C |
| VII | G major | G - B - D |
The most common progression in pop music in this key is Am - Em - F - Dm (i - v - VI - iv).
Relative key
C major is the relative major of A minor. Both scales use the same notes; they simply start on a different note, which changes the mood.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A minor scale?
A minor: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
How many sharps or flats are in A minor?
A minor has no sharps or flats.
What is the relative major of A minor?
C major. It shares the same notes and key signature as A minor.