Key & Scale Explorer

These 7 notes are the building blocks of A minor. Every chord in this key is built from them. Tap any note to hear it.

Root
3rd
5th
Other scale tones

Piano

Guitar

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
E
A
D
G
B
E

Bass

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
E
A
D
G

Chords built from this scale

i
Am7

The i chord (Am7) is home. This is where the music feels resolved.

ii°
Bm7b5

The ii° chord adds a gentle pull. Often used to set up movement.

III
Cmaj7

The III chord has a softer, more emotional quality.

iv
Dm7

The iv chord feels like a departure — somewhere different to go.

v
Em7

The v chord creates tension that wants to resolve back to i.

VI
Fmaj7

The VI chord is the relative minor — shares notes with i but feels darker.

VII
G7

The VII chord is unstable — it wants to move. Rarely used as a resting place.