A♯ minor key

Question 1

How many sharps or flats are in A♯ minor?

Accepted Answer

7: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ and B♯. They are written in that order at the start of every line of music.

Question 2

What are the chords in A♯ minor?

Accepted Answer

A♯m (i), B♯dim (ii°), C♯ (III), D♯m (iv), E♯m (v), F♯ (VI) and G♯ (VII).

Question 3

What is the relative major of A♯ minor?

Accepted Answer

C♯ major. It uses exactly the same notes and the same key signature, but treats C♯ as home.

Question 4

What is the dominant chord in A♯ minor?

Accepted Answer

In A♯ minor the fifth chord is E♯m (v). Most music raises the 7th note to make it major, so the dominant you usually hear is E♯ major (V).

Question 5

Is A♯ minor the same as B♭ minor?

Accepted Answer

They sound the same on the piano but are written differently. A♯ minor has 7 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ and B♯; composers pick whichever is easier to read.

A♯ minor key

Play the scale of this key

Chords in A♯ minor

Triads

Seventh chords

Questions