Diatonic Chords Of The Minor Scale
Bass Lesson Block
In this lesson block we will learn the diatonic chords of the minor scale. Much of this you know without realizing it. But, there are a few special topics regarding chords in minor keys we will also explore.
Just as there are chords from the major scale, there are chords from the minor scale. In this lesson you will do some essential reviewing and I will gently introduce you to the system of minor scale chords.
Students always ask how do I know if a song is major or minor? Determining major or minor is not hard, but it's not what students often assume.
Just as in major keys, the minor scale has seven basic diatonic chords numbered with Roman numerals. In this lesson, we'll look at the chord qualities of the minor scale diatonic chords and how they compare to the major scale.
In this lesson we'll look at a new extended minor scale position and its first four minor diatonic chord shapes (i, ii, ♭III, iv).
Part 2 of the minor scale diatonic chords covers chords v, ♭VI, and ♭VII. Exercises review all seven diatonic triads and diatonic seventh chords.
The v chord in a minor key is sometimes minor and other times major or dominant 7th. In this lesson I explain a common adjustment of the v chord in major keys with example songs and bass exercises.
This is a brief introduction to the harmonic minor scale for bass players.
The melodic minor scale is another minor scale which can give us a major V chord in a minor key. This scale avoids the awkward melodic leap found in the harmonic minor scale.
To have useful minor diatonic chord shapes in all minor keys, you want to learn a position with the minor scale's tonic on the A-string. In part 1 I show you the extended minor scale position and the first four diatonic chords of the minor scale.
In part 2 of the A-string minor scale diatonic chords shapes, we learn chords V through VII with a major and minor version of the V chord.
A simple minor diatonic progression going between the i and iv chords.
A common and familiar minor key progression simply bounces back and forth between the i and V chords.
The ii-V-i progression in a minor key is another classic minor key progression. It is used extensively in jazz.
The Andalusian cadence is a common, descending minor key chord progression found in most styles of music.