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CHORD HARMONY - Minor

All major keys have a shadow, which is known as the relative minor. The key of C has a shadow, A minor and changes the mood of the key into a sadder more melancholy feel.

The relative minor can be found from the major key by starting the scale from the VI th degree of the major scale. As above, the scale starts on A.

Each note can be harmonised to make a chord:

Let's play this sequence of chords:

Note: the symbol o after a chord name means that it is a dimished chord

As before the strongest sequence of chords is the I IV V progression:

Because of the nature of the minor scale which is known as the natural minor it is heard that the progression between the Dm and Em is weaker on it's route back to Am, so a stronger chord is needed.

To do this we have to change the Am scale between the VII and VIII degree:

This is done as above by raising the VII note by a semi-tone. This is now known as the Harmonic minor. If we harmonise the scale we come up with an interesting progression of chords and a stronger I IV V sequence:

The I IV V progression is made more complete by turning the E chord into an:

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