Minor Chord Progressions

[DesiSerna]

Your book and DVD teach how to play guitar chord progressions based on the major scale, but what about chord progressions based on minor scales?

Once you learn how to build chords from the major scale and play the major/minor chord sequence by numbers you actually have the minor scale down too (and all the other modes). A chord progression can revolve around any scale degree. In other words, any number in the chord pattern can be home base. The natural minor scale is based on the sixth scale degree and chord. So for example, Am, Dm and Em would be a vi, ii, iii (6, 2, 3 all minor) chord progression based on the C major scale. You hear this in the song "Maria, Maria" by Santana. Since the Am is functioning as the root you really should call this the A minor scale (or A Aeolian mode) rather than C major but they are the same notes and chords either way. Some musicians like to renumber the chords and always refer to the root as chord number one. If you counted out the C major scale chords STARTING WITH A MINOR, then the "Maria, Maria" progression becomes i, iv, v (1, 4, 5 all minor). Reworking everything like this can be confusing and can make learning music theory a real burden. Fortunately, you don't have to do it. You can keep the numbers, and the guitar fretboard pattern, the same regardless of which chord a song starts on.

[DesiSerna]

Sorry, I still dont get it how you visualize the chords on the fretboard when we play minor scale. Could you please explain and give me an example ?

The minor scale is the same as the major scale, you just start on a different scale degree. Chords for the minor scale are the same as the major scale, you just start on a different chord.

A typical minor chord progression would be vi V IV with the vi chord functioning as the root. See Fretboard Theory page 98 for more info.

[bigdin]

Any chord in the pattern can function as the root. Some
players will always call the root chord “one” regardless
of which scale degree it actually is. Once “one” is
established, everything gets renumbered from there.
Reworking everything like this can be confusing and can
make keeping track of keys a real burden. Fortunately,
you don’t have to do it. You can keep the numbers and
chord pattern the same regardless of which chord a song revolves around.

Denis here!this is still confusing, I have a song which i have been playing for many years. Thought it was in Dm but after buying your fretboard theory I find out that this is in C major, well let me say that I recorded the basic 2 chords of the song Dm and C there pops an Am in but not necessary. Well to my excitement the c major scale works well. that would give me 2, 1 progression and the following progression can pop up..2,1,6,1.
So I am right in saying the 2 degree is the root but if i want the proper progression of chords do i not need to look at ONLY the C major scale and C being the first degree?? as you say..once ´´óne´´ is established...........confused....Denis

[bigdin]

just forgot to say,,,av bout the above post,,,,,I would have the Dorian mode based on the second degree????????......Denis

[mbon008]

C major/Ionian: C D E F G A B C (I ii iii IV V vi {vii} I) or 1 2 3 4 5 6 (7) 8=1=C.

D Dorian is D E F G A B C D (ii iii IV V vi {vii} I ii) or 2 3 4 5 6 (7) 8=1 (C) 2=D

So Dm to C = 2-1 prgression or ii-1 progression.

D Dorian Progression in the key of C major with Dm (2) acting as the root/tonal centre and moving to 1 (C major).
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If you want to renumer.. it's a hassle.
Don't do it unless you have to like Desi advises, or in the case you have to read a book that is explained that way.

D E F G A B C D: 1 2 3 4 5 6 (7) 8=1=D

Then it s a D Dorian 1-2 progression (in the D Droian mode)

Mike

[bettyw7679]

Thanks you for the post.