15 Minor Chord Progressions You Need to Master | Ultimate Guide

Minor chord progressions are an instantly recognizable element of music, often giving songs an emotional tone or atmosphere.

From the melancholy of jazz standards to the sorrowful feel of blues songs, minor chord progressions have been employed by musicians for centuries to create a mood or feeling of sadness, longing, or even hope.

They are also incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of musical genres including rock, pop, and even hip hop.

In this article, we will explore 15 minor chord progressions that will help you create your own unique emotional sound.

Basic Music Theory for Minor Chord Progressions

Understanding Minor Key Signatures and Diatonic Chords

Minor key signatures are the foundation of minor chord progressions. They consist of a minor key and its relative chords. When these chords are put together in a progression, they form a minor key.

A minor key signature is made up of five notes, the root, the minor third, the perfect fifth, the minor sixth, and the minor seventh. These notes form the basis of a minor key and can be used as a starting point for minor chord progressions.

Diatonic chords are the chords that are used within a particular key. In a minor key, these chords will consist of minor triads, minor seventh chords, and minor ninth chords.

They are used to create a harmonic structure within a key and will generally ascend and descend in a predictable pattern. Knowing how to identify the various diatonic chords and construct them within a minor key is essential for creating effective minor chord progressions.

The Difference Between Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales

In addition to understanding minor key signatures, it is also important to be aware of the differences between natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales.

Natural minor scales are the simplest of the three and consist of the notes in a minor key signature. Harmonic minor scales are those which have a raised seventh degree, which adds an extra sense of tension and resolution.

Finally, melodic minor scales are those which have a raised sixth and seventh degree, and these create an even more intense feeling of tonality.

Knowing which of these scales to use in a minor chord progression will allow you to create even more emotional and complex music.

Classic Minor Chord Progressions

i – iv – v (Example: Am – Dm – Em)

The i – iv – v progression (Example: Am – Dm – Em) is a classic minor chord progression. It is one of the most commonly used progressions in popular music.

It is a three-chord progression that consists of the tonic chord (i), the subdominant chord (iv), and the dominant chord (v). In the example of Am – Dm – Em, the tonic chord is Am, the subdominant chord is Dm, and the dominant chord is Em.

This minor chord progression is used in a variety of musical styles and can be heard in songs such as “Hey Jude” by The Beatles, “Hurt” by Johnny Cash, and “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie.

The progression has a melancholy sound, but can also be used to create a more uplifting mood. It is often used as a bridge between two sections of a song or as a way of adding tension and movement to a song.

The i – iv – v progression can also be used to set a particular key or as a way of transitioning to a different key. It can also be used as a part of a larger chord progression. For example, it is often used in combination with other chords such as the vi and ii chords to create a more complex sound.

i – VI – III – VII (Example: Am – F – C – G)

The chord progression i – VI – III – VII is a popular chord progression used in many genres of music, including pop, rock, soul, and even classical.

The progression starts with a minor chord, such as Am, which is then followed by a major chord one degree above, such as F. The next chord is a major chord three degrees above the original, such as C, and then ends with a major chord seven degrees above the original, such as G.

This chord progression is often used in the context of a verse, chorus, or bridge in a song and can also be used in ballads and other slow-tempo songs. It creates a sense of resolution and can be used to add a feeling of tension or resolution to a song.

As this is a very common chord progression, it can be used in many different ways, such as with a different rhythm or with different instrumentation, to create a new atmosphere or texture. It is also possible to add additional chords to this progression to create a longer and more interesting chord sequence.

i – iv – VII – III (Example: Am – Dm – G – C)

This i – iv – VII – III (Example: Am – Dm – G – C) chord progression is an incredibly powerful and versatile combination of chords. The I-IV-VII-III chord progression is a very common harmonic structure in many popular songs.

As an example, this chord progression is used in genres such as rock, pop, blues, funk, and even jazz. This progression can be used to create a sense of tension and energy, as well as a feeling of resolution.

Additionally, the chords can be inverted in various ways, thus creating more interesting harmonic possibilities.

Furthermore, this chord progression can be used in more complex melodic arrangements, allowing for a wide range of musical expression.

Whether used as the foundation for a song or as an embellishment, the I-IV-VII-III chord progression is an essential tool for any musician’s arsenal.

i – v – VI – III (Example: Am – Em – F – C)

This i – v – VI – III (Example: Am – Em – F – C) chord progression is a classic pattern that has been used in many different genres of music.

It is a simple yet effective chord progression that is easy to learn and play. It is often used as a starting point for songwriting, as it can easily be adapted to many different styles and genres.

The progression usually starts with the i chord, which is typically the tonic or root of the key.

This is then followed by the v chord, which is the fifth of the scale, and then the VI chord, which is the sixth of the scale.

Finally, the III chord is the third of the scale. Overall, this chord progression can be used to create a wide variety of songs, and is a great starting point for new songwriters.

i – VII – VI – v (Example: Am – G – F – Em)

This i – VII – VI – v (Example: Am – G – F – Em) progression is an example of the classic four-chord progression. It is commonly used in pop music, rock, jazz, and other genres.

In the key of A minor, the chords are: i – A minor, VII – G major, VI – F major, and v – E minor. This progression creates a sense of tension and resolution as it moves through the different chords.

The A minor chord creates a sense of sadness or longing, while the G major chord adds a sense of energy and uplift. The F major chord brings a sense of resolution and stability, while the E minor chord provides a feeling of finality and closure.

Minor Chord Progressions with Extended Chords

i7 – iv7 – v7 (Example: Am7 – Dm7 – Em7)

An i7 – iv7 – v7 chord progression is a common harmonic pattern in jazz and other genres of music. It begins with the tonic chord (i7), moves to the subdominant chord (iv7), and then resolves to the dominant chord (v7).

In the example of Am7 – Dm7 – Em7, the Am7 is the tonic chord and is built on the root note A. The Dm7 is the subdominant chord and is built on the root note D. The Em7 is the dominant chord and is built on the root note E.

In many cases, the three chords in an i7 – iv7 – v7 progression can be extended or substituted with other chords to create a more interesting harmonic texture. For example, an Am7 can be substituted with an Am9, Am11, or Am13.

The same substitution can be applied to the Dm7 and Em7 chords in the progression. This allows the musician to play the basic i7 – iv7 – v7 progression while adding more depth and complexity to the sound.

In some cases, the i7 – iv7 – v7 progression can also be extended with added chords. For instance, the Am7 – Dm7 – Em7 progression can be extended with a G7 chord to create an ii – V – I progression (Amin7 – Dm7 – G7 – Em7). This particular progression is very common in jazz music and is known as a “five-chord” progression.

i9 – VI7 – III7 – VII7 (Example: Am9 – F7 – C7 – G7)

The i9 – VI7 – III7 – VII7 is a four-chord progression in the key of A minor. The i9 chord (Am9) is a minor ninth chord built on the tonic note (A) of the key with an added ninth.

The VI7 chord (F7) is a dominant seventh chord built on the sixth degree (F) of the key. The III7 chord (C7) is a dominant seventh chord built on the third degree (C) of the key.

The VII7 chord (G7) is a dominant seventh chord built on the seventh degree (G) of the key. This combination of chords creates an interesting harmonic tension that can be used to add flavor to a song or piece of music.

The i9 – VI7 – III7 – VII7 progression is often used in jazz and blues music, and is a popular choice for improvisation.

i7 – iv6 – VII7 – III7 (Example: Am7 – Dm6 – G7 – C7)

This i7 – iv6 – VII7 – III7 progression consists of four chords: Am7, Dm6, G7, and C7. The first chord, Am7, is a minor 7th chord built on the tonic (i) of the key. The Dm6 is a minor 6th chord built on the fourth degree of the scale.

The G7 is a dominant 7th chord built on the seventh degree of the scale. Lastly, the C7 is a dominant 7th chord built on the third degree of the scale. This progression is often used in jazz and blues music, and can be used to create a sense of tension or excitement.

Minor Chord Progressions with Chromatic Passing Chords

i – #idim7 – iiø – V7 (Example: Am – A#dim7 – Bø – E7)

A minor chord progression with chromatic passing chords is a great way to add complexity and an interesting twist to your musical composition.

In this example, a progression of Am, A#dim7, Bø, and E7, is used. This progression creates a unique sound that combines the harmonic minor sound of A#dim7 with the traditional major sound of E7, making this progression a great choice for jazz, rock, and other styles of music.

The chromatic passing chord of Bø helps to create tension and anticipation, leading up to the resolution of the progression in the E7 chord. This progression is a great way to add interest and complexity to a progression without losing the continuity of the original chord progression.

i – v – #Vdim7 – VI (Example: Am – Em – F#dim7 – F)

This particular progression is a powerful combination of chords that creates an intriguing atmosphere.

By using the minor i chord, which is often associated with sadness and longing, and then moving to a more upbeat v chord, the progression conveys a sense of contrast and complexity.

Finally, the #Vdim7 chord adds spice and texture to the progression, creating a soundscape that is both melancholic and uplifting.

The VI chord then serves to resolve the progression, bringing it to a satisfying conclusion. This progression is great for expressing a variety of moods and emotions, making it a popular choice in many genres of music.

Minor Chord Progressions with Modal Interchange

i – bIII – IV – iv (Example: Am – C – D – Dm)

The i-bIII-IV-iv minor chord progression is a great way to create a rich sound while exploring modal interchange. This progression starts with the tonic minor chord and then moves to the flat third, fourth, and then back to the minor chord.

This creates a nice contrast between major and minor as the flat third introduces a new tone color to the progression.

This progression can also be used to explore modal interchange, as the i-bIII-IV-iv progression can be used to transition between different keys or modalities.

By playing the flat third over the tonic chord, the progression can transition between major and minor keys, allowing the player to explore different harmonic possibilities.

i – bVII – bVI – V (Example: Am – G – F – E)

The i – bVII – bVI – V progression (Example: Am – G – F – E) is a chord progression that has been used in popular music since the 1950s. It is a common chord progression in jazz, blues, rock, and country music.

This progression is often used to create harmonic tension and build excitement in a song.

The i chord is the home chord of the progression and provides a sense of resolution. The bVII chord is the most dissonant chord in the progression and creates an exciting tension between the home chord and the bVI chord.

The bVI chord is a subdominant chord that provides a transitional sound between the bVII and V chords.

Finally, the V chord resolves back to the home chord, creating a sense of finality and resolution. This progression has been used in countless popular songs and is a great tool for songwriters and musicians alike.

Minor Chord Progressions with Secondary Dominants

i – V/iv – iv – v (Example: Am – A7 – Dm – Em)

The i – V/iv – iv – v progression is a useful minor chord progression that utilizes secondary dominants.

This progression follows the pattern of first establishing a root chord, then moving to a dominant chord based on the fourth degree in the scale, followed by the fourth degree chord and finally a dominant chord based on the fifth degree in the scale.

An example of this progression in the key of A minor is Am – A7 (secondary dominant to Dm) – Dm – Em.

This progression creates a strong sense of motion from the tonic to the dominant chords back to the tonic, and it can be a great tool for creating interesting musical ideas in a minor key.

i – V/VII – VII – III (Example: Am – D7 – G – C)

This i – V/VII – VII – III chord progression (Example: Am – D7 – G – C) is one of the most popular progressions used in contemporary music. It has a strong harmonic foundation that allows for a wide range of creative possibilities.

The progression starts off with the tonic chord, Am, and then progresses to the dominant seventh chord, D7, before resolving to the subdominant, G, and finally to the tonic, C.

This creates a sense of resolution and closure, while the presence of the dominant seventh chord provides a sense of tension that can be used to add more complexity and depth to the music.

The progression can be used as a foundation for a variety of musical styles, from folk to rock to jazz, and its versatility allows it to be used in a wide variety of musical contexts.

Contemporary Minor Chord Progressions

i – iv – v – VI7 (Example: Am – Dm – Em – F7)

The i – iv – v – VI7 chord progression is one of the most commonly used chord progressions in contemporary music. This chord progression utilizes the major chords of I, IV, V, and a minor chord of VI7.

An example of this chord progression would be Am – Dm – Em – F7. This chord progression is very versatile and can be used in a variety of genres and styles. It can be used in rock, pop, blues, jazz, and even some classical music.

This chord progression is perfect for creating strong melodies and hook lines that will stick in the listener’s mind. The use of the minor chord in the VI7 provides a nice contrast to the major chords and gives the progression a unique flavor.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, minor chord progressions are an essential tool for any composer, and their use can help to create a unique sound that is both sonically interesting and emotionally powerful.

The possibilities are limitless and the best way to understand and explore them more deeply is to experiment with various combinations. Try different keys, root notes, and extensions to find the combination of chords that will bring your music alive!

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