Minor Chord Progressions: Tips For Emotional Songs
Oct 7, 2024
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Anton Berner
Minor chord progressions are the emotional backbone of countless memorable songs across every genre. Chord sequences built around minor keys can evoke anything from melancholy and introspection to tension and drama.
For any songwriter, composer or producer, mastering minor chord progressions is essential to connecting with listeners on a deeper level.
When I first started out as a composer, I quickly discovered that mastering a few key minor progressions was the secret to creating music people could actually relate to.
Understanding how to use them can open up a world of creative possibilities and help transform your music from generic to genuinely moving.
The Foundations of Minor Chord Progressions
How Minor Chord Progressions Are Built
It all starts with the natural minor scale. From any root note, the pattern goes: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. In the key of A minor, this produces the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
Each scale degree generates a chord:
- The i chord (the first chord) is always minor.
- The fourth and fifth degrees produce iv and v chords, which are also minor.
- The third, sixth, and seventh degrees create major chords (III, VI, VII).
- The second degree gives you a diminished chord (ii°).
These diatonic chords (chords built from the notes of the scale) form the harmonic foundation.
You can build basic chords as triads by stacking thirds. For example, in the key of C minor, your i chord contains the notes C, Eb, and G—a minor triad with a minor third interval.
If all this music theory sounds foreign to you, don’t worry! Just start simple by experimenting with the scales and triads. I
recommend picking natural A minor as all of its notes are on the white keys of the piano. Try playing a 3-note chord from each note of the scale, and listen carefully to spot where the major and minor chords fall.
Understanding Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales
The natural minor scale uses only notes from the key signature without alterations. This is also known as the Aeolian mode and is often described as feeling mysterious or melancholic.
The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree by a half step, creating a leading tone that pulls toward the root. This transforms the v chord into a dominant chord (V), providing a stronger resolution.
In the key of C minor, this changes Bb to B natural, giving you the notes C D Eb F G Ab B. This scale often feels more exotic or resolved than the natural minor.
The melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degree when ascending for a smoother melodic line. Interestingly, it is asymmetrical, meaning it reverts to the natural minor pattern when descending.
As you experiment with these, you’ll hear how each type of minor scale offers different emotional colors; for example, harmonic minor adds drama, while natural minor feels grounded.
Relative vs. Parallel Keys
To get the most out of minor keys, it is helpful to understand the relationship between relative and parallel minors.
Every major key has a relative minor that shares the same key signature.
C major and A minor are related because they both have no sharps or flats. This allows you to switch between them for great emotional versatility.
A parallel minor, however, starts on the same note as the major key but has a different key signature.
For example, C major and C minor. Switching to a parallel minor creates a much spicier shift, like in “Creep” by Radiohead, where they borrow a minor chord from a parallel key to turn the world upside down.
Roman Numerals in Minor Key Progressions
Roman numerals indicate both the chord quality and position.
Lowercase (i, iv, v) are minor, while uppercase (III, VI, VII) represent major chords. The degree symbol (°) marks a diminished chord like ii°. This system makes it easy to transpose your minor chord progressions to different keys.
The A Minor Chord Map
Here’s how Roman numerals map in A minor:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | Minor |
| ii° | Bdim | Diminished |
| bIII | C | Major |
| iv | Dm | Minor |
| v | Em | Minor |
| bVI | F | Major |
| bVII | G | Major |
Diatonic Chords and Scale Degrees
The first degree (tonic) establishes your center, while the v chord naturally wants to resolve back to it.
In natural minor, the seventh degree sits a whole step below the tonic, resulting in a softer resolution. In harmonic minor, the leading tone is only a half step away, creating a much stronger pull.
Seventh chords add another layer. You can extend any triad by adding the seventh degree from that chord’s root. In A minor, your i chord becomes Am7.
Understanding diatonic chords and scale degrees lets you predict which minor progressions will create the effect you are looking for.
Popular and Essential Minor Chord Progressions
Most Common Minor Chord Progressions
The i-iv-v progression is the most basic chord progression in minor keys. In D minor, this is Dm-Gm-Am.
“Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish, “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse and “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley are great examples of this chord progression.
You can also hear this in Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”, which emphasizes the minor i chord.
The i-VI-III-VII progression is another powerhouse. When you play this in A minor (Am-F-C-G), you get a repeating pattern that balances melancholy with resolution.
“Cheap Thrills” by Sia, “Self Esteem” by The Offspring, and “Zombie” by The Cranberries demonstrate the use of this simple chord progression well.
My Favorite Sad and Emotional Progressions
In addition to the above, here are some of my favorite minor chord progression variations that I use all the time in my work. They work amazingly well for storytelling and lean specifically into a sad or somber mood:
- VI – iv – i – v: This is a fantastic sad progression. Using the minor iv chord (instead of a major one) creates a heavy, somber atmosphere that feels deeply reflective.
- i – VI – VII – v: This descending pattern pulls at the heartstrings, creating a delicate sense of longing that works perfectly for slow ballads.
- i – III – VII – VI: By ending on the VI chord, you create a feeling of incompleteness or unresolved nostalgia. It’s perfect for songs about loss.
- I – iii – IV – iv: This is a borrowed sequence. Even though it starts in a major key, ending with that minor iv chord (the minor plagal cadence) provides a heartbreaking twist that listeners love.
Minor or Dorian?
Sometimes you might stumble upon a progression that feels minor but has a slightly bittersweet edge.
This is often the Dorian mode. Famous tracks like “Mad World” or “Sweet Dreams” are technically in Dorian.
The Andalusian Cadence
The Andalusian cadence follows the i-VII-VI-V pattern. In A minor, you play Am-G-F-E. The fifth chord (E major) acts as a dominant, creating tension.
This is the vibe found in “Hotel California” and is different from a deceptive cadence, where the resolution is subverted.
Jazz Patterns and Seventh Notes
The iiø-V7-i progression is the backbone of jazz. In D minor, this is Eø-A7-Dm.
This sequence uses seventh notes for sophisticated voice leading. Jazz players often use piano chord progressions that demonstrate how the fourth note of the scale creates tension.
Creative Tips for Songwriters
To really make these progressions your own, don’t be afraid to experiment with chord voicings.
For example, try using a minor add9 chord. Adding that 9th interval can amplify the emotional depth and add a beautiful shimmer to a standard minor triad.
Another tool I recommend for learning more about chord changes is the circle of fifths. It’s a huge help for visualizing how keys relate to one another and can help you discover minor progressions and chord sequences you might never have thought of.
Instrumentation and Texture
How you play these chords matters as much as the notes themselves.
For a quirky, orchestral minor feel, try adding short staccato notes with reedy loops like a bassoon or clarinet. For a sad ballad, think long, placid violins or fingerpicked guitar.
Minor Chord Progressions by Genre
Popular chord progressions vary by style; for example, classical music favors functional harmony, like in Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
While minor songs in rock often use power chords adapted from piano chords, they actually strip away the third to leave only the root and fifth.
Since power chords are tonally neutral, the minor feel comes from the root note following a minor scale. This prevents the heavy distortion from sounding muddy while still letting the minor progressions drive the song’s emotion.
Different musical styles often lean on specific patterns to create their signature vibe.
Here are some popular minor chord progressions in different genres:
- Rock/Metal: i-VI-VII (Powerful)
- Pop: i-VI-III-VII (Memorable)
- R&B/Soul: i-iv-v with added 7ths and 9ths (Lush)
- Electronic: i-v-VI-III (Atmospheric)
Conclusion
When using minor chords in your own music, remember that it’s not all about just the minor chords; major chords from the relative major scale (like C major for A minor) provide great contrast.
It’s all about how you apply them to your overall sound.
From the dark tension of a cinematic score to the bittersweet lift of a pop anthem, the magic happens in the balance between light and shadow.
My advice: Follow your gut feeling and experiment with different combinations until something clicks.
Sometimes a simple repeating pattern is all you need to tell a powerful story and connect with your listeners.
About the author
Tero Potila is a professional music composer and producer. His career combining knowledge and experience from music, TV, film, ad, and game industries gives him a unique perspective that he shares through posts on teropotila.com.
