Banjo · Level 3 · Beginner

Playing in a minor key on Banjo

i–iv–v–i in all 12 keys.

Don’t just read about Playing in a minor key on Banjo. Play it.

Create a free TempoJam account in 30 seconds. Then try the tuner, metronome and Jam Room free for 14 days and record your first take tonight.

Start freeI teach musicFree account. No card needed to join.
THE SHORT ANSWER

In a minor key the home chord is minor, and so are the chords on the fourth and fifth notes. This progression is the simplest way to hear what a minor key feels like.

Choose a key

C minorCm · Fm · Gm · CmC♯ minorC♯m · F♯m · G♯m · C♯mD minorDm · Gm · Am · DmE♭ minorE♭m · A♭m · B♭m · E♭mE minorEm · Am · Bm · EmF minorFm · B♭m · Cm · FmF♯ minorF♯m · Bm · C♯m · F♯mG minorGm · Cm · Dm · GmG♯ minorG♯m · C♯m · D♯m · G♯mA minorAm · Dm · Em · AmB♭ minorB♭m · E♭m · Fm · B♭mB minorBm · Em · F♯m · Bm

Listen first: C minor

Cm

C minor

Notes: C · E♭ · G

×gDGBD♭

Fm

F minor

Notes: F · A♭ · C

×gDGBD♭

Gm

G minor

Notes: G · B♭ · D

gDGBD♭
1
Cm
2
Fm
3
Gm
4
Cm

Why it works

These chords come from the natural minor scale. Later lessons raise the third of v to make a stronger pull home.

On another instrument

Playing in a minor key on Guitar →Playing in a minor key on Piano →Playing in a minor key on Ukulele →Playing in a minor key on Mandolin →Playing in a minor key on Violin →Playing in a minor key on Flute →

Ready to play it for real?

Create my free accountI’m a music teacher
Free account. No card needed to join.