7.3 · Chords of the Minor Key
The bright side: III, VI, VII
Three major chords live in every minor key: III, VI, and VII. Songwriters reach for them whenever a minor song needs brightness. III is the relative major's home chord, built from the same seven notes.
The three major chords
Each one bright, each one grown from the minor scale itself. Tap to hear.
III is the relative major
A minor's III is C major, the relative major's own home chord. Walk from i to III and the music brightens without leaving home's seven notes.
The lift, in action
Dark home, then the climb: i is minor, and VI and VII are two major chords in a row, each a whole step up.
Quiz
1 / 3The major chords of a minor key sit on…