Minor V chords are dominant chords created from minor triads with their third raised by half-step from their tonic note in key. They can dramatically alter the mood of songs.
Dominant chords contain either a major seventh (CM7) or flat seventh (C7) as part of their composition, using also 1 3 5 chords from the major scale.
It’s a minor chord
Minor key chords typically derive from the Natural Minor scale; however, there are a few exceptions like E7 (V7 in minor key) and G#o7 (viio7) which deviate. Both chords differ from their major equivalents due to containing leading tones that sound harsher and discordant than traditional minor third or perfect fifths.
These chords are widely employed in jazz. Also referred to as alterations, they often replace dominant V chords in minor key progressions – typically creating an orderly progression such as I, IV, V and I as desired by composers.
Although iv-V-i is common in classical music, contemporary musicians rarely use this progression in songs. While it can add a more modern feel, sometimes these chords do not produce the same tension as dominant V chords do.
It’s a dominant chord
If you’re playing in a minor key, the V chord often acts as subdominant; however, it can also function as dominant chord. To differentiate the two versions of this chord in Roman numeral analysis lowercase letters represent minor chords while uppercase letters indicate major chords.
A v chord combines the 5th, 7th and 2nd intervals of a scale for an extremely dissonant sound, creating tension as it leads to its tonic chord, I in this instance.
To add stability to this chord, raise its third by half-steps; this will transform it into a major triad or dominant seventh chord that provides stronger resolution for the following i chord. This common progression in minor keys songs has also become popular across different types of music such as jazz – perfect for adding tension!
It’s a subdominant chord
Subdominant chords in minor keys differ slightly from their major key counterparts in that they consist of a major triad with its seventh note falling a half step below the tonic note of the scale – so it doesn’t provide as strong an effect as dominant V chords or minor i chords.
Additionally, it has a distinctive modal quality and is often known as a Neapolitan chord, making it an effective means for prolonging phrases while adding different emotional nuances to them.
This progression, commonly used in classical and jazz music, is also popular in rock, country and R&B genres. Additionally, this progression can also be found less commonly in folk and pop music; here more likely major triads may be employed; one way this can be demonstrated is by changing the third of minor v chord to major third; this changes its function into that of dominant-tonic cadences.
It’s a modal chord
Minor V chords can be found within the minor scale and play more modal sounds when played there due to having different interval structure than regular minor triads which contain major thirds; making it closer in sound to minor seventh chords than their major scale counterparts.
Modal chord progressions can often be found in popular music, like Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence,” but can also be seen across numerous musical styles; Rihanna’s song “Desperado” features one.
Chord progressions based on modes often include characteristic chords of each mode to highlight its distinctive qualities and enhance long improvisations. Dorian chords stand out for having an unusual root note which makes them distinctive from minor and major scale counterparts and provide long improvisation opportunities.