G minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (6A)
G minor has 2 flats (B♭, E♭). Its chords are Gm, A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭ and F. The relative major is B♭ major and the Camelot code is 6A, so it mixes cleanly with 5A, 7A and 6B.
Notes in the G minor scale
G minor has 2 flats (B♭, E♭).
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | A | B♭ | C | D | E♭ | F |
Chords in G minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Gm | G · B♭ · D |
| ii° | A° | A · C · E♭ |
| III | B♭ | B♭ · D · F |
| iv | Cm | C · E♭ · G |
| v | Dm | D · F · A |
| VI | E♭ | E♭ · G · B♭ |
| VII | F | F · A · C |
In practice most songs in G minor swap the minor v for D. Raising the seventh note (F to F♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to G, so D to Gm sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in G minor
- Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- Gm – Cm – Dm (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- Gm – F – E♭ – D (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- Gm – Cm – F – B♭ (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with G minor
G minor is 6A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 5A | C minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 7A | D minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 6B | B♭ major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, B♭ major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, G major, keeps G as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in G minor?
Gm (i), A° (ii°), B♭ (III), Cm (iv), Dm (v), E♭ (VI) and F (VII).
What is the relative major of G minor?
B♭ major. It uses the same 7 notes, G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, but centres on B♭ instead of G.
What is the Camelot code for G minor?
6A. In Open Key notation it is 11m.
What keys mix well with G minor?
C minor (5A), D minor (7A) and B♭ major (6B). They sit next to 6A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does G minor have?
2 flats (B♭, E♭).