G minor
Minor key. Scale: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F.
Octaves
Musical context
How the key relates to the chord, scale, mode and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- G minor
- Mode
- Minor
- Tonic
- G
- Key signature
2 flats: B, E.
- Key character
- Scale degree 3 clearly distinguishes minor from the parallel major, while variable degrees 6 and 7 make voice leading flexible. In equal temperament, tonic pitch alone does not determine mood; melody, harmony, register, tempo, and texture do.
- Overview
- The G minor key sets its stable tones and typical harmonic connections. Major keys are built on the Ionian mode (steps 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1), minor keys on the Aeolian (2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2). The number of accidentals marks the key's position on the circle of fifths.
Key composition
1Groot
2Amajor 2nd
b3Bbminor 3rd
4Cperfect 4th
5Dperfect 5th
b6Ebminor 6th
b7Fminor 7th
Key construction
- Interval formula
- GWAHBbWCWDHEbWF
- Explanation
- The natural minor scale follows the pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Scale degree 3 defines the minor quality; harmonic and melodic minor alter degrees 6 and 7 for voice leading and dominant function.
Related keys
- Relative key
- Bb major
- Parallel key
- G major
- Reference mode
- G Aeolian (natural minor)
Harmonic functions
TTonici (Gm), III (Bb)
SSubdominantii° (Adim), iv (Cm), VI (Eb)
DDominantv (Dm), VII (F)
- Overview
- Tonic is the stable centre of a key. Predominant function moves away from tonic and prepares dominant; dominant points toward resolution in tonic. The scheme Tonic → Predominant → Dominant → Tonic describes a basic functional progression but does not exhaust tonal harmony.
Chords by degree
Primary triads
- Tonic triad 1 – 3 – 5
- Subdominant triad 4 – 6 – 1
- Dominant triad 5 – 7 – 2
G—Bb—D
C—Eb—G
D—F—A
Tensions & resolutions
bVIIFF
iGG
In natural minor, scale degree 7 lies a whole step below tonic; raising it creates a leading tone.
iiAA
iGG
Scale degree 2 may resolve downward by step to tonic.
Harmonic context
G minor is a minor key. Natural, harmonic, and melodic forms vary scale degrees 6 and 7, so chord content and voice leading depend on context.
Natural progressions
Cadences
VDD
iGG
Authentic cadence with a major dominant (raised 7th) confirms the minor center.
ivCC
VDD
iGG
A complete functional progression moves from minor predominant through major dominant to tonic.
This key on guitar 🎸
See how G minor looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
Usage & Practice
Application in music
- Natural minor supplies the basic diatonic collection, while harmonic and melodic forms alter scale degrees 6 and 7 according to voice leading.
- Major dominant V with raised scale degree 7 creates a strong resolution into minor tonic i.
- Patterns such as i – VI – III – VII can be transposed into this key without changing scale-degree relationships.
- Minor quality provides a clear contrast with major, but specific character also depends on melody, rhythm, register, tempo, texture, and timbre.
Practice
- Play the tonic chord (Gm), then compare it with the other diatonic chords: tonic serves as the stable centre of the key.
- Alternate Gm and Dm (I – V – I), focusing on the leading tone resolving to tonic.
- Add Cm (IV): play Cm – Dm – Gm to hear predominant–dominant–tonic motion.
- Sing the key's scale, emphasizing degrees I, III and V — these are the anchor notes.
- Improvise a melody starting and ending on the tonic to reinforce the sense of center.
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.