Harmonic Minor Three

i–iv–V · Harmonic minor cadence · C minor · i–iv–V

Play this pattern

Harmonic Minor Three is a chord pattern you can play in any key. The degrees are i–iv–V.

Only the last chord changes to major, and the pull becomes strong. The same three chords, far more dramatic; alternate it with the natural minor form.

Patterns are common chord moves. They are not the chart of a recorded hit.

Patterns are named by theory. Play them in any key that fits your voice.

Each song page has a chord chart, fingerings, and the same song in every key.

The pattern

i – iv – V

Cm · Fm · G

Chord chart

Chord chart
1CmFmG

How to sing it

The final major chord pulls hard, so prepare the first note of the next phrase on it and everything lines up. Take it slowly, let the V ring fully, then drop onto i.

In every key

In every key
KeysChord chart
C minor · Written in this keyCm · Fm · G
Db minorC#m · F#m · G#
D minorDm · Gm · A
Eb minorD#m · G#m · A#
E minorEm · Am · B
F minorFm · Bbm · C
F# minorF#m · Bm · C#
G minorGm · Cm · D
Ab minorG#m · C#m · D#
A minorAm · Dm · E
Bb minorBbm · Ebm · F
B minorBm · Em · F#

Heard in

  • Bésame Mucho · Consuelo Velázquez. Dm–Gm–A7 in D minor. Real arrangements add colour chords and a section that moves to major, so it is not a song that only repeats a four-bar loop.

These songs use this pattern. This is not their chord chart: real recordings differ in key, rhythm and the chords they add.

Public-domain songs with this pattern