Minor key chord progressions can evoke almost any kind of emotion imaginable, depending on texture, instrumentation and context. They can range from feeling dark and melancholic (Cranborough Fair by George Gershwin) to lively and upbeat (Summertime by George Gershwin).
You’ve likely encountered these progressions from songs you’ve heard. They are some of the most beloved in pop music today.
1. ii-V-I
This progression can be found in minor key jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban music. It adds a dark sound that works great in ballads as well as lusher sounding songs.
The first example utilizes drop 2 and spread voicings to emphasize an ascending melodic line, while the second example applies identical chord voicings but with reduced tension and voice-leading.
Solid arrows illustrate root movement within an ii-V-I scheme, while dashed ones indicate changes to chord quality. A larger dashed arrow connects a minor seven chord with one that uses Locrian Mode (flat nine). This technique adds tension and sophistication to your ii-V-I sequences.
2. ii-V-II
These minor chord progressions are found frequently in ballads. Additionally, this form is also utilized as a turnaround progression within jazz music.
Reduced ii-V chords can also be used, although they’re less often employed. They feature an emotive tone that works especially well in ballads.
Another choice is the ii-V7-I (also referred to as the “bVI-i”) chord progression, requiring more movement from fretting hand movement than its traditional equivalent and giving more of a dramatic sound than regular ii-V-I progressions.
Practice recognizing chord progressions by ear. This will enable you to make the connection between what you hear and what you play, while experimenting with various variations of these progressions to broaden your musical palette.
3. ii-V-IV
The ii-V-IV chord progression is one of the most widely recognized minor chord progressions, appearing across genres such as popular pop songs.
This cyclical chord progression is frequently seen in doo-wop ballads. Sometimes the second or fourth note (ii or IV, for instance) may be changed for something like Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness.” The ii-V-IV progression is easy to hear due to its smooth voice leading between chord thirds and sevenths – another hallmark of popular doo-wop music!
This progression can create tension and sensuality, or sound melancholic and moody. Additionally, it gives the song an exciting build-up – such as Lorde’s “Royals,” which uses this progression to create an intense atmosphere by criticizing materialism – making it the ideal song to utilize this form of progression.
4. ii-V-IV-V
You’ll recognize this progression from songs such as Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” or Gotye’s “Someone That I Used To Know.” It blends major and minor chords for an engaging sound.
As in major, this progression features smooth voice leading between chord third and seventh to bring it back into tonic of minor keys.
While these are some of the more widely-used minor chord progressions, don’t be intimidated to experiment! Keep a chord chart handy to help understand the various scale degrees that make up each progression – the more knowledge of minor scale you acquire, the easier it will be for you to create your own progressions!
5. ii-V-IV-V-I
This minor chord progression is one of the most prevalent minor chord progressions, combining major and minor qualities into an attractive yet melancholic sound. You’ve likely heard it in numerous songs like Gotye’s “Someone That I Used To Know”, featuring Am, F, and D minor as its core components. Remember that all good music must provide something essential: home base; expansion; then return – this progression does this brilliantly!
Listening to as many songs that employ these progressions will allow you to develop an understanding of how they function within real songs, before trying them yourself on your favourite chord progression player or DAW. Doing this will train your ear so that when a song employs this ii-V-IV-V-I progression it becomes apparent.