Cool Chord Progressions | Minor iv in a Major Key
Added 2025-05-26 17:00:06 +0000 UTCWhere to Start • Lesson Archive • Recommended Lesson Plan • Book a Private Lesson
Hi Everyone,
I'm trying a little mini series idea: if you like this idea let me know in the comments.
Basically, I'm looking at a chord progression that might be "outside" the norm, but common enough to find in multiple songs. I suggest watching Music Theory for Guitar II before checking out this series if you haven't already.
For this first one, I'm looking at this weird situation where we find a minor iv chord in a major key. Whats weird about this (if you don't know) is that the IV chord in a major key is typically a Major chord. For example:
Key of C Major:
C - I
Dm - ii
Em - iii
F - IV
G - V
Am - vi
B° - vii°
These are the chords in the key of C Major. Notice the IV chord is "F" as in "F Major"
It would be pretty weird to see an Fm chord there wouldn't it? And yet, it happens all the time!
This video talks about that situation, why it seems to work, what context it seems to work in, and some common variations on the concept of a minor iv chord in a major key.
Check out the Community Challenge posting tomorrow if you want practice writing music with a minor iv chord in a Major Key.
Comments
I love this sooooo much! Plus, learning anything and everything about Beatles songs is the best. I’ve been on my own kick with that.
Tasha McManus
2025-05-27 21:37:33 +0000 UTCI've always wondered about the technical side of the progression...it is one I love and have used (unknowingly) before. I struggle a lot with the voicings.
Lauren Wise
2025-05-27 17:38:21 +0000 UTCSome songwriters do, some don’t. I think some songwriters write without thinking too much about the theory, then go through with a problem-solving mindset, testing out theory concepts to improve and refine a progression. The more you try to refine your writing, the more you’ll wish you had a way to remember and reference the concepts that work well
Scott Paul Johnson
2025-05-27 16:26:04 +0000 UTCDo you think the songwriters you refer to had all this knowledge, or did they just kind of stumbled onto their chord progressions? 🤔
Jon Rogan
2025-05-27 11:28:21 +0000 UTCThat was a very good lesson Scott. I like the idea of Cool Chord Progressions as it provides really useful information. Thanks
Jon Rogan
2025-05-27 10:57:27 +0000 UTCGreat lesson. I really like this concept.
Matthew Haid
2025-05-27 00:47:37 +0000 UTC
