Chord Progressions in a Minor Key

Minor keys are where a lot of hip hop, lo-fi, cinematic and emotional music lives. Here's what makes them tick.

The minor scale and its chords

A natural minor key builds seven diatonic chords just like major, but the pattern of major and minor is different. In A minor you get i (Am), ii° (B°), III (C), iv (Dm), v (Em), VI (F), VII (G). Notice the tonic i is minor and there are big, useful major chords on III, VI and VII.

The i–iv–v and the harmonic-minor V

The minor equivalent of rock's I–IV–V is i–iv–v — dark and modal. But composers often borrow from harmonic minor to make the v into a major V (E major in A minor), because that raised leading tone pulls back to the tonic much harder. That single change is the difference between 'floaty' and 'dramatic'.

The bVI and bVII lift

Two of the most satisfying minor-key moves are the VI and VII (F and G in A minor). Progressions like i–VI–III–VII and VI–VII–i sound epic and are everywhere in film scores, metal and modern pop choruses. Try one and you'll recognise it instantly.