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 – VI – VII
Key
i
VII
VI
VII
A minor
Am
G
F
G
Also try adding a 7 to the chords (i.e. Am7, G7, F7, G7)
i – iv – VII – i
Key
i
iv
VII
i
A minor
Am
Dm
G
Am
i – V – iv – VII
Key
i
v
iv
VII
A minor
Am
Em
Dm
G
Starting On The iv Chord
iv – VI – VII – i
Key
iv
VI
VII
i
A minor
Dm
F
G
Am
iv – III – VII – i
Key
iv
III
VII
V
A minor
Dm
C
G
Am
iv – v – VI – VII
Key
iv
v
VI
VII
Am
Dm
Em
F
G
Starting On The v Chord
v – VI – v – i
Key
v
VI
v
i
A minor
Em
F
Em
Am
v – iv – i – i
Key
v
iv
i
i
A minor
Em
Dm
Am
Am
v – VI – III – i
Key
v
VI
III
I
A minor
Em
F
C
Am
Starting On The VI Chord
VI – VII – i – III
Key
VI
VII
i
III
A minor
F
G
Am
C
VI-i-v-v
Key
VI
i
v
v
A minor
F
Am
Em
Em
Starting On The VII Chord
VII-iv-VII-i
Key
VII
iv
VII
i
Am
G
Dm
G
Am
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