How Minor Chords Work: Em, Am, Dm

Course: Minor Pentatonic vs Major Pentatonic for Beginners

In this video

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;

  • Ain’t No Sunshine

  • Dua Lipa - Levitating

  • Arctic Monkeys 505

Minor Chord Options

Next Up: Jam Track 15 - Picked Arpeggios with C & Am

Well done! Let's jump into the next lesson of the course.