Banjo · Level 6 · Intermediate
The minor ii–V–i in E minor on Banjo
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The minor ii–V–i uses a half-diminished ii and an altered V. It is the dark, dramatic cadence behind many jazz ballads and Latin tunes.
F♯m7b5
Notes: F♯ · A · C · E
B7b9
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯ · A · C
Em
Notes: E · G · B
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: F♯m7b5, B7b9 and Em. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- The short fifth string (g) is only played open; let it ring when it fits the chord.
- Set the tempo to 63 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Find the note that moves by a half step from V7♭9 to i.
- Pinch the bass and top strings on beat one, then roll thumb–index–middle through the other strings.
- Raise the tempo to 84 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for tension in the ♭9 that melts into the minor tonic.
Listen for
Aim for tension in the ♭9 that melts into the minor tonic. A common mistake is using a plain minor seventh for iiø7.
Why it works
iiø7 and V7♭9 both come from the harmonic minor scale, which provides the raised leading tone.
E minor has 1 sharp; its relative major key is G major.
Questions
What are the chords in iiø7–V7♭9–i in E minor?
In E minor the progression is F♯m7b5 | B7b9 | Em | Em.
What is the key signature of E minor?
E minor has 1 sharp. Its relative major is G major.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 6 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Augmented chords”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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