Flute · Level 4 · Beginner
The minor pop progression in D minor on Flute
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i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII is the minor-key twin of the four-chord pop progression. It drives many emotional pop and rock songs.
Dm
Notes: D · F · A
B♭
Notes: B♭ · D · F
F
Notes: F · A · C
C
Notes: C · E · G
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord as an arpeggio, one note at a time: Dm, B♭, F and C. Press play on the card, then match each note.
- Keep a steady air stream between notes; for the higher notes, aim the air a little higher instead of blowing harder.
- Set the tempo to 57 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Keep the rhythm driving; this progression relies on momentum.
- Play the chord tones one at a time, one note per beat, tonguing each note lightly (“too”).
- Raise the tempo to 76 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the brighter lift on the major ♭III and ♭VII.
Listen for
Aim for the brighter lift on the major ♭III and ♭VII. A common mistake is slowing down on the major chords.
Why it works
These are the same chords as vi–IV–I–V in the relative major, heard from the minor chord's point of view.
D minor has 1 flat; its relative major key is F major.
Questions
What are the chords in i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in D minor?
In D minor the progression is Dm | B♭ | F | C.
What is the key signature of D minor?
D minor has 1 flat. Its relative major is F major.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 4 lesson (beginner). If it feels too hard, start with “The Andalusian cadence”.
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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