Mandolin · Level 7 · Advanced
Borrowed chords: the minor iv in F major on Mandolin
Don’t just read about Borrowed chords: the minor iv in F major. Play it.
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Borrowing the minor iv from the parallel minor key adds a moment of melancholy before returning home. It is a favourite of the Beatles and film composers alike.
F
Notes: F · A · C
B♭
Notes: B♭ · D · F
B♭m
Notes: B♭ · D♭ · F
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: F, B♭ and B♭m. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Mandolin frets are close together, so reach with the fingertips and press each pair of strings evenly.
- Set the tempo to 66 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Change only the third of IV to make iv, and hold it for the full bar.
- Strum down on every beat, then try the bluegrass “chop”: a short, muted strum on beats two and four.
- Raise the tempo to 88 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the emotional dip from IV to iv.
Listen for
Aim for the emotional dip from IV to iv. A common mistake is rushing past the minor iv.
Why it works
This is modal interchange: taking a chord from the parallel minor while staying in the major key.
F major has 1 flat; its relative minor key is D minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–IV–iv–I in F major?
In F major the progression is F | B♭ | B♭m | F.
What is the key signature of F major?
F major has 1 flat. Its relative minor is D minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 7 lesson (advanced). If it feels too hard, start with “The minor ii–V–i”.
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