A natural minor
No sharps or flats. Seven notes: A B C D E F G. Every open string is in the key. Try the key’s seven chords in different places on the neck. Press a shape to hear it and see its notes.
Across one chord in different positions. Down the chords in one position. | ||||
| iMainAmA · C · E | ||||
| ii°B°B · D · F | ||||
| IIIMainCC · E · G | ||||
| ivDmD · F · A | ||||
| vEmE · G · B | ||||
| VIMainFF · A · C | ||||
| VIIMainGG · B · D |
Sounds good
Three patterns to try
Walk up to Dm. Strum Am, pick B and C on the way up, land on Dm. Listen to how the bass connects the chords.
Triads on the top three strings. Three notes, three places, all Am. Try them when a full six-string chord feels too busy.
- LowFrets 0–2
- MiddleFret 5
- HighFrets 8–10
Same chords, higher. The four main chords in the open position, then again in frets 4 to 8. Listen to how the higher voicings change the sound.
Exercises in A minor
Four drills, with a click
Play along with the metronome. The neck above highlights each step.
- Four chords in one positionAm – C – F – G without leaving frets 1 to 5.70 bpmLevel 1
- Climb with one chordAm in all four places, low to high. Hear it brighten.60 bpmLevel 1
- Walk up to DmStrum Am, then walk the bass B – C into Dm.90 bpmLevel 2
- Scale, then chordsPlay the scale in frets 4 to 8, then the four chords there.70 bpmLevel 2
Why no sharps or flats
Where the circle starts
C major has no sharps or flats: every other major key adds them one at a time around the circle.
Harmonic minor
Harmonic minor change
Raising the seventh to G♯ changes Em to E major on the fifth degree.