Piano · Level 2 · First steps

Minor chords in a major key on Piano

vi–ii–iii–vi in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Every major key contains three minor chords, on its second, third and sixth notes. Learning them gives you the darker colours that make a progression more interesting.

Choose a key

C majorAm · Dm · Em · AmD♭ majorB♭m · E♭m · Fm · B♭mD majorBm · Em · F♯m · BmE♭ majorCm · Fm · Gm · CmE majorC♯m · F♯m · G♯m · C♯mF majorDm · Gm · Am · DmF♯ majorD♯m · G♯m · A♯m · D♯mG majorEm · Am · Bm · EmA♭ majorFm · B♭m · Cm · FmA majorF♯m · Bm · C♯m · F♯mB♭ majorGm · Cm · Dm · GmB majorG♯m · C♯m · D♯m · G♯m

Listen first: C major

Am

A minor

Notes: A · C · E

Left hand: A2

Dm

D minor

Notes: D · F · A

Left hand: D2

Em

E minor

Notes: E · G · B

Left hand: E2
1
Am
2
Dm
3
Em
4
Am

Why it works

The chords ii, iii and vi are minor because the third above each root is three semitones, not four.

On another instrument

Minor chords in a major key on Guitar →Minor chords in a major key on Ukulele →Minor chords in a major key on Mandolin →Minor chords in a major key on Banjo →Minor chords in a major key on Violin →Minor chords in a major key on Flute →

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