Minor chord progressions can add tension, mystery and emotion to your music. Here, we’ll examine some of the most frequently used minor chord progressions and their application within your compositions.
Add drama and variety to your minor chord progressions by borrowing chords from parallel major keys. For instance, using major vii chords instead of A minor’s IV chord can give it more intensity.
The i-iv-v progression
The I-IV-V progression is a very popular chord progression found in most genres of music. It can create tension or foreboding feelings while at other times it can bring hopefulness and positivity. It makes an excellent way to experiment with creating different moods in songs.
Chord progressions can be extremely complex, so becoming familiar with basic ones will speed up your songwriting and ear training progress. Chords are composed of intervals which have specific sound qualities: major, minor and perfect intervals are just three such sets.
To practice a chord progression in any minor key, start by writing out all three i, iv and v chords on paper and practicing playing them along with this YouTube track. Use up/down arrow keys on keyboard or guitar to control volume accordingly. Once comfortable with these chords, create another progression using them – but in another key.
The i-VI-III-VII progression
This progression should be part of every jazz pianist’s repertoire; it is also commonly utilized in gospel music.
Billie Eilish’s hit song Ocean Eyes showcases this progression perfectly; its rising harmonic motion pairs beautifully with the descending vocal texture to create a sense of melancholy and its chords feature first inversion with subtle suspended notes to heighten drama in this progression.
Royal Road Progression, often referred to as The Royal Road Progression, is an essential skill for any guitarist. The progression typically follows this format: I-bVII-V7-III in major keys; however it can also be written as IV V or I. It’s essential for serious jazz pianists to learn this progression in all twelve keys, so they can use it spontaneously during improvisation – this style of chord development from natural minor scale chords can make any tune into a jazz standard!
The i-IV-IV-V progression
This chord progression can help create a sorrowful or foreboding atmosphere in a song, and is also ideal when adding tension or relief to its content.
This progression utilizes the tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords from the minor scale as building blocks for its progression. These chords typically sound strong and consonant – hence their designation as perfect chords – while adding color with major or minor chord degrees often requires resolution back to one of these three perfect chords for it to sound powerfully complete.
The i-IV-V progression is frequently used as a substitute chord in minor keys, since all its chords share similar structures across both major and minor keys, enabling easy interchange. Similar notes tend to connect each chord to its counterpart smoothly.
The i-VI-III-IV-V progression
This chord progression — or “progression”, as I like to refer to it — is a popular choice across many genres of music. It works well in both minor and major keys and with various melodies; plus it ends with a double plagal cadence for added tension/release!
Beginners often begin learning piano by starting with simple chord progressions that are relatively straightforward to play on piano. Experienced songwriters also utilize chord progressions as an interesting musical element within their songs – however it should be kept in mind that chord progressions alone don’t create effective songs; other musical elements must come into play too.
Do not be intimidated to experiment with new progressions! You never know which will become the keystone of your next hit song! Just make sure that they’re used sparingly, adding in your own flair and creativity for maximum impact and an unforgettable melody.