Chords in the key of B minor
The key of B minor has two sharps (F♯, C♯). Its seven chords are Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G and A. Tap any of them, or play them in order.
Tap a numeral to hear one chord; tap a shape to open it.
The chords that do most of the work
Bm is home. Em (iv) moves away from it. The natural-minor chord on the fifth degree is F♯m (v), which pulls only gently. Using F♯ (V) or F♯7 (V7) raises the 7th to A♯, as in harmonic minor, for a stronger return to Bm. G (VI) and A (VII) give minor keys their big, open rock and film sound.
Key signature
B minor has two sharps (F♯, C♯), written at the start of every line so you don't have to mark them on each note. Sharp keys add one sharp per step clockwise around the circle of fifths: B minor sits between E minor and F♯ minor.
The notes of the key are the B natural minor scale: B C♯ D E F♯ G A. Relative major: D major (same notes). Parallel major: B major (same starting note).
Progressions in B minor
Press play to hear i–VI–III–VII in B minor, then use the key menu to move it.
In B minor, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- iBm
- VIG
- IIID
- VIIA
| Progression | In B minor | |
|---|---|---|
| i–VI–III–VII the minor anthem | Bm – G – D – A | |
| i–iv–V the minor cadence | Bm – Em – F♯ – Bm | |
| i–VII–VI–V the Andalusian cadence | Bm – A – G – F♯ | |
| i–VII–VI–VII the epic minor loop | Bm – A – G – A |
Borrowed dominants: leaning into other chords of B minor
These chords borrow one note from outside the key to set up the next chord, the way V7 sets up I.
- V7 of III
- V7 of iv
- V7 of v
- V7 of VI
- V7 of VII
Borrowing from B major
Minor-key songs often take chords from B major, the parallel major: E (IV), B (I) and C♯m (ii). The major IV gives a brighter, Dorian lift, and ending a minor piece on the major I is the old "Picardy third".
Seventh chords in B minor
Add the next note of the scale on top of each chord and you get the key's seventh chords: Bm7, C♯m7♭5, Dmaj7, Em7, F♯m7, Gmaj7 and A7. With the borrowed major V it becomes F♯7.
Playing in B minor on guitar
B minor is awkward in open position, so most guitarists use a capo: capo 2nd fret with A minor shapes or capo 7th fret with E minor shapes. Barre chords work too.
Transpose a chord chart · How a capo works
Other keys
Key of B minor: questions
What chords are in the key of B minor?
Bm, C♯dim, D, Em, F♯m, G and A. As numerals: i = Bm, ii° = C♯dim, III = D, iv = Em, v = F♯m, VI = G, VII = A. Most songs in B minor also use F♯ (major V) in place of F♯m.
How many sharps or flats are in B minor?
Two sharps (F♯, C♯).
What is the relative major of B minor?
D major. Same notes, same signature, a different home chord (D).
What are the i, iv and V chords in B minor?
Bm (i), Em (iv) and F♯ (V, borrowed from the harmonic minor). Those three chords are enough for thousands of songs.
How do I play in B minor on guitar with a capo?
Capo 2nd fret, then play A minor shapes (Am, F, C, G); they sound as Bm, G, D, A.
Computed from B C♯ D E F♯ G A and tested. Updated September 2026.