A Minor Key Signature

A minor has no sharps or flats. Here's the signature on the staff, the full scale, its relative major, and the trick to recognize it instantly.

key signature with no sharps or flats
Accidentals
No sharps or flats
Minor scale
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Relative major
C major
Tonic
A

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Reading the A Minor signature

A minor carries the same empty signature as its relative major, C major. Because nothing is fixed by the key, A-minor writing leans on an accidental — usually a raised G♯ — to give the scale its leading tone.

The A Minor scale

The A minor scale runs A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Every note in the piece takes the key's accidentals automatically, which is exactly what the signature saves you from writing note by note.

A Minor and its relative major

A minor shares its signature — no sharps or flats — with its relative major, C major, a minor third above the tonic. They use the same seven pitches; what tells them apart is which note the music settles on and treats as home.

Neighboring keys on the circle of fifths

A Minor — frequently asked

How many sharps or flats does A minor have?

A minor has no sharps or flats.

What is the relative major of A minor?

The relative major of A minor is C major — it shares the identical key signature (no sharps or flats).

What notes are in the A minor scale?

The A minor scale is A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

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