Below you will find examples of basic common chord progressions found in the minor keys of Western music. The examples are all in the key of Am, but they can be transposed to any key. If you are writing a song for your own voice, you should definitely transpose to the key that best fits your own vocal range. Audio examples might have embellished chords or inversions.
Starting On The i Chord
i – VII – i -V7
Key
i
VII
VI
V7
A minor
Am9
G(add9)
F△9
E7
i – iv – VII – i
Key
i
iv
VI
V7
A minor
Am (add 9)
Dm9
F△9
E7*
*Here played as A♭△7 +5 +11
i – VI – III – ♭II
Key
i
VI
III
VII
A minor
Am9
FMaj9
C6
B♭Maj9
i – ii – III – v – VI – VII – ♭vii – VI
Key
i
ii
III
v
VI
VII
♭vii
VI
A minor
Am9
Bm7
C△7
Em7
F△9
G
G♭m9
F△9
Starting On The iv Chord
iv – I – v – VI v
Key
iv
I
v
VI v
A minor
Dm9
Am9
Em7
F(add 9) Em7
Starting On The VI Chord
VI – iv – I – VII
Key
VI
iv
i
VII
A minor
F(add 9)
Dm7
Am7
G(sus4)
VI – VII – v – i III
Key
VI
VII
v
i III
A minor
F(add 9)
G*
Em7
Am7 CMaj7
*Played here as Em(add 11) / G
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