Violin · Level 4 · Beginner

The minor pop progression on Violin

i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII is the minor-key twin of the four-chord pop progression. It drives many emotional pop and rock songs.

Choose a key

C minorCm · A♭ · E♭ · B♭C♯ minorC♯m · A · E · BD minorDm · B♭ · F · CE♭ minorE♭m · B · G♭ · D♭E minorEm · C · G · DF minorFm · D♭ · A♭ · E♭F♯ minorF♯m · D · A · EG minorGm · E♭ · B♭ · FG♯ minorG♯m · E · B · F♯A minorAm · F · C · GB♭ minorB♭m · G♭ · D♭ · A♭B minorBm · G · D · A

Listen first: C minor

Cm

C minor

Notes: C · E♭ · G

G 3♭D 1D 3A 2
String and finger, first position

A♭

A♭ major

Notes: A♭ · C · E♭

♭G 1G 3♭D 1♭D 4
String and finger, first position

E♭

E♭ major

Notes: E♭ · G · B♭

♭D 1D 3♭A 1♭A 4
String and finger, first position

B♭

B♭ major

Notes: B♭ · D · F

♭G 2D openD 2♭A 1
String and finger, first position
1
Cm
2
A♭
3
E♭
4
B♭

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.

On another instrument

The minor pop progression on Guitar →The minor pop progression on Piano →The minor pop progression on Ukulele →The minor pop progression on Mandolin →The minor pop progression on Banjo →The minor pop progression on Flute →

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