Piano · Level 4 · Beginner
The minor pop progression in E♭ minor on Piano
Don’t just read about The minor pop progression in E♭ minor. Play it.
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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.
E♭m
Notes: E♭ · G♭ · B♭
B
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯
G♭
Notes: G♭ · B♭ · D♭
D♭
Notes: D♭ · F · A♭
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: E♭m, B, G♭ and D♭. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
- 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 left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
- 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.
E♭ minor has 6 flats; its relative major key is G♭ major.
Questions
What are the chords in i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in E♭ minor?
In E♭ minor the progression is E♭m | B | G♭ | D♭.
What is the key signature of E♭ minor?
E♭ minor has 6 flats. Its relative major is G♭ 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.
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