Mandolin · Level 3 · Beginner

Playing in a minor key on Mandolin

i–iv–v–i in all 12 keys.

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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

GDAE♭

Fm

F minor

Notes: F · A♭ · C

GDAE♭

Gm

G minor

Notes: G · B♭ · D

GDAE♭
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 Banjo →Playing in a minor key on Violin →Playing in a minor key on Flute →

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