How Minor Chords Work: Em, Am, Dm

We explore the three minor chords that complete your fundamental chord knowledge - E minor, A minor, and D minor. These "cowboy chords" are the building blocks underlying all your favourite songs, and I'll explain why they're not just for sad music.

• How to play E minor using two fingers and why I recommend the first two fingers

• A minor chord formation - same shape as E major but moved down one string

• D minor stretch technique and finger positioning for clean sound

• The musical theory behind major vs minor - which note changes to create the "sad" sound

• Song applications: "Ain't No Sunshine," "Levitating," and "505" by Arctic Monkeys

Watch how lifting just one finger transforms E major into E minor, and discover why that third string must ring out clearly. The key is understanding that minor chords give you emotional expression - they're the other end of the spectrum from happy major chords.

Em

• G to Em

• Em to D

Am

• G to Am

• C to Am

Dm

• Dm to C

Song examples;

• Bill Withers - Ain’t No Sunshine

• Dua Lipa - Levitating

• Arctic Monkeys - 505

Minor Chord Options