How Minor Chords Work: Em, Am, Dm

We're going to look at the 3 most common minor chords that we use at this late Beginner level and importantly how they differ from all the major chords we know so far!

E minor and E major

The minor chords have a particular characteristic by sounding 'sad' which can add more depth and complexity to the music compared to all major chords in a single progression.

We are now opening the door to so many more chord combinations; try remember some of your favourites that you notice go well together like in the list below but don't dwell too much on remembering all or even the exact reason they work - just enjoy playing them and practice those changes!

Em

• G major to E minor

• E minor to D major

Am

• G major to A minor

• C major to A minor

Dm

• D minor to C major

Song examples;

• Bill Withers - Ain’t No Sunshine

• Dua Lipa - Levitating

• Arctic Monkeys - 505