Chords in the key of A minor on ukulele
The chords in the key of A minor are built from the notes of the scale: Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F, G. Almost every song in this key uses only these, with the dominant E7 leading back to Am.
The chords of the key
- Ami
- Bdimii°
- CIII
- Dmiv
- Emv
- EV
- E7V7
- FVI
- GVII
| Degree | Chord | Function |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | tonic (rest) |
| ii° | Bdim | subdominant (moves away) |
| III | C | tonic (rest) |
| iv | Dm | subdominant (moves away) |
| v | Em | dominant (tension) |
| V | E | dominant (tension) |
| V7 | E7 | dominant (tension) |
| VI | F | subdominant (moves away) |
| VII | G | dominant (tension) |
Common progressions
- Epic minor (i–VI–III–VII): Am – F – C – G
- Andalusian (i–VII–VI–V): Am – G – F – E
To improvise
The A minor scale works over all these chords. To start with less risk, use the minor pentatonic: five notes that almost never sound wrong in this key. A minor pentatonic · A minor scale
Relative key: C major, with the same notes and a different home chord.