Open Turnaround Chord progressions Major & minor keys Get in touch Chord progressions Dorian Progressions A minor key with a major IV
A minor tonic with a MAJOR four chord. That one chord raises the sixth degree of the key, which is the difference between natural minor and Dorian, and it is audible immediately — the progression brightens without ever becoming major.
The chords, in every key Every progression below moves together, so the comparison stays honest.
What actually differs The funk vamp is the shape at its most exposed: two chords, i7 and IV7, with nothing else to distract from the raised sixth, which is why it is the standard way to learn the sound. Britpop adds the ♭III and ♭VII around it, so the loop carries both the flat seventh of natural minor and the natural sixth of Dorian at once. The last two are different in kind rather than degree — the rising-sun and Spanish-epic progressions state the sixth BOTH ways, major IV alongside ♭VI, so no single minor scale covers them and the scale has to change from bar to bar. That conflict is not a flaw in the writing; it is what gives both progressions their restless quality, and it is why the lead sheet for them reads bar by bar rather than offering one scale for the whole form.
All 4 in this family Dorian Funk i7 – IV7
Funk minor 2 bars
The two-chord funk machine ('Oye Como Va', countless grooves), minor 7 to a dominant IV.
Dorian Funk in C minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Cm7 i7 2 F7 IV7
What to play over it In C minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
C Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes C D E♭ F G A B♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in C minor · The key of C minor
Dorian Funk in C# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 C#m7 i7 2 F#7 IV7
What to play over it In C# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
C# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in C# minor · The key of C# minor
Dorian Funk in D minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Dm7 i7 2 G7 IV7
What to play over it In D minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
D Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes D E F G A B C
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in D minor · The key of D minor
Dorian Funk in Eb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Ebm7 i7 2 Ab7 IV7
What to play over it In Eb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
Eb Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in Eb minor · The key of Eb minor
Dorian Funk in E minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Em7 i7 2 A7 IV7
What to play over it In E minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
E Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes E F♯ G A B C♯ D
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in E minor · The key of E minor
Dorian Funk in F minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Fm7 i7 2 Bb7 IV7
What to play over it In F minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
F Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in F minor · The key of F minor
Dorian Funk in F# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 F#m7 i7 2 B7 IV7
What to play over it In F# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
F# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in F# minor · The key of F# minor
Dorian Funk in G minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Gm7 i7 2 C7 IV7
What to play over it In G minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
G Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes G A B♭ C D E F
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in G minor · The key of G minor
Dorian Funk in G# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 G#m7 i7 2 C#7 IV7
What to play over it In G# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
G# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in G# minor · The key of G# minor
Dorian Funk in A minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Am7 i7 2 D7 IV7
What to play over it In A minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
A Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes A B C D E F♯ G
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in A minor · The key of A minor
Dorian Funk in Bb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bbm7 i7 2 Eb7 IV7
What to play over it In Bb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
Bb Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in Bb minor · The key of Bb minor
Dorian Funk in B minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bm7 i7 2 E7 IV7
What to play over it In B minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 2
B Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Play it in B minor · The key of B minor
Documented in the wild Oye Como Va Tito Puente / Santana Chameleon Herbie Hancock Play it in Turnaround · The key of C minor
Britpop Dorian i – ♭III – ♭VII – IV
Alt / Indie minor 4 bars
The Wonderwall-style Dorian loop, minor home base with a bright major IV lift.
Britpop Dorian in C minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Cm i 2 Eb ♭III 3 Bb ♭VII 4 F IV
What to play over it In C minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
C Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes C D E♭ F G A B♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
Eb Ionian the plain major scale Notes E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in C minor · The key of C minor
Britpop Dorian in C# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 C#m i 2 E ♭III 3 B ♭VII 4 F# IV
What to play over it In C# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
C# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
E Ionian the plain major scale Notes E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in C# minor · The key of C# minor
Britpop Dorian in D minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Dm i 2 F ♭III 3 C ♭VII 4 G IV
What to play over it In D minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
D Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes D E F G A B C
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
F Ionian the plain major scale Notes F G A B♭ C D E
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in D minor · The key of D minor
Britpop Dorian in Eb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Ebm i 2 Gb ♭III 3 Db ♭VII 4 Ab IV
What to play over it In Eb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
Eb Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
Gb Ionian the plain major scale Notes G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in Eb minor · The key of Eb minor
Britpop Dorian in E minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Em i 2 G ♭III 3 D ♭VII 4 A IV
What to play over it In E minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
E Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes E F♯ G A B C♯ D
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
G Ionian the plain major scale Notes G A B C D E F♯
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in E minor · The key of E minor
Britpop Dorian in F minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Fm i 2 Ab ♭III 3 Eb ♭VII 4 Bb IV
What to play over it In F minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
F Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes F G A♭ B♭ C D E♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
Ab Ionian the plain major scale Notes A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in F minor · The key of F minor
Britpop Dorian in F# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 F#m i 2 A ♭III 3 E ♭VII 4 B IV
What to play over it In F# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
F# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
A Ionian the plain major scale Notes A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in F# minor · The key of F# minor
Britpop Dorian in G minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Gm i 2 Bb ♭III 3 F ♭VII 4 C IV
What to play over it In G minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
G Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes G A B♭ C D E F
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
Bb Ionian the plain major scale Notes B♭ C D E♭ F G A
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in G minor · The key of G minor
Britpop Dorian in G# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 G#m i 2 B ♭III 3 F# ♭VII 4 C# IV
What to play over it In G# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
G# Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
B Ionian the plain major scale Notes B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in G# minor · The key of G# minor
Britpop Dorian in A minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Am i 2 C ♭III 3 G ♭VII 4 D IV
What to play over it In A minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
A Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes A B C D E F♯ G
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
C Ionian the plain major scale Notes C D E F G A B
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in A minor · The key of A minor
Britpop Dorian in Bb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bbm i 2 Db ♭III 3 Ab ♭VII 4 Eb IV
What to play over it In Bb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
Bb Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G A♭
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
Db Ionian the plain major scale Notes D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in Bb minor · The key of Bb minor
Britpop Dorian in B minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bm i 2 D ♭III 3 A ♭VII 4 E IV
What to play over it In B minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bars 1, 4
B Dorian minor with a natural 6th Notes B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Home base. The chords state a natural 6th, so the home scale follows.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 3
D Ionian the plain major scale Notes D E F♯ G A B C♯
The key's own notes, centred here — this chord is the bright side of the same set.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in B minor · The key of B minor
Documented in the wild Wonderwall Oasis Boulevard of Broken Dreams Green Day Play it in Turnaround · The key of C minor
Rising Sun i – ♭III – IV – ♭VI – i – ♭III – V
Folk / Country minor 7 bars
The full 'House of the Rising Sun' cycle: an arpeggiated minor climb with a Dorian IV, cadencing on a major V.
Rising Sun in C minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Cm i 2 Eb ♭III 3 F IV 4 Ab ♭VI 5 Cm i 6 Eb ♭III 7 G V
What to play over it In C minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
C Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
F Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes F G A B♭ C D E♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
G Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes G A♭ B C D E♭ F
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in C minor · The key of C minor
Rising Sun in C# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 C#m i 2 E ♭III 3 F# IV 4 A ♭VI 5 C#m i 6 E ♭III 7 G# V
What to play over it In C# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
C# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
F# Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
G# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes G♯ A B♯ C♯ D♯ E F♯
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in C# minor · The key of C# minor
Rising Sun in D minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Dm i 2 F ♭III 3 G IV 4 Bb ♭VI 5 Dm i 6 F ♭III 7 A V
What to play over it In D minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
D Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes D E F G A B♭ C
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
G Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes G A B C D E F
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
A Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes A B♭ C♯ D E F G
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in D minor · The key of D minor
Rising Sun in Eb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Ebm i 2 Gb ♭III 3 Ab IV 4 Cb ♭VI 5 Ebm i 6 Gb ♭III 7 Bb V
What to play over it In Eb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
Ab Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
Bb Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes B♭ C♭ D E♭ F G♭ A♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in Eb minor · The key of Eb minor
Rising Sun in E minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Em i 2 G ♭III 3 A IV 4 C ♭VI 5 Em i 6 G ♭III 7 B V
What to play over it In E minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
E Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes E F♯ G A B C D
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
A Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes A B C♯ D E F♯ G
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
B Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes B C D♯ E F♯ G A
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in E minor · The key of E minor
Rising Sun in F minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Fm i 2 Ab ♭III 3 Bb IV 4 Db ♭VI 5 Fm i 6 Ab ♭III 7 C V
What to play over it In F minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
F Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
Bb Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes B♭ C D E♭ F G A♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
C Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes C D♭ E F G A♭ B♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in F minor · The key of F minor
Rising Sun in F# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 F#m i 2 A ♭III 3 B IV 4 D ♭VI 5 F#m i 6 A ♭III 7 C# V
What to play over it In F# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
F# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
B Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
C# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes C♯ D E♯ F♯ G♯ A B
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in F# minor · The key of F# minor
Rising Sun in G minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Gm i 2 Bb ♭III 3 C IV 4 Eb ♭VI 5 Gm i 6 Bb ♭III 7 D V
What to play over it In G minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
G Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes G A B♭ C D E♭ F
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
C Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes C D E F G A B♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
D Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes D E♭ F♯ G A B♭ C
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in G minor · The key of G minor
Rising Sun in G# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 G#m i 2 B ♭III 3 C# IV 4 E ♭VI 5 G#m i 6 B ♭III 7 D# V
What to play over it In G# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
G# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
C# Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
D# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes D♯ E F♯♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in G# minor · The key of G# minor
Rising Sun in A minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Am i 2 C ♭III 3 D IV 4 F ♭VI 5 Am i 6 C ♭III 7 E V
What to play over it In A minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
A Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes A B C D E F G
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
D Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes D E F♯ G A B C
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
E Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes E F G♯ A B C D
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in A minor · The key of A minor
Rising Sun in Bb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bbm i 2 Db ♭III 3 Eb IV 4 Gb ♭VI 5 Bbm i 6 Db ♭III 7 F V
What to play over it In Bb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
Eb Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
F Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes F G♭ A B♭ C D♭ E♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in Bb minor · The key of Bb minor
Rising Sun in B minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bm i 2 D ♭III 3 E IV 4 G ♭VI 5 Bm i 6 D ♭III 7 F# V
What to play over it In B minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 2, 4–6
B Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes B C♯ D E F♯ G A
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bar 3
E Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Bar 7
F# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes F♯ G A♯ B C♯ D E
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Play it in B minor · The key of B minor
Documented in the wild House of the Rising Sun The Animals Play it in Turnaround · Full page for Rising Sun · The key of C minor
Spanish Epic i – V – ♭VII – IV – ♭VI – ♭III – iv – V
Rock minor 8 bars
The 'Hotel California' descent, eight chords cycling through nearly every minor-key colour.
Spanish Epic in C minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Cm i 2 G V 3 Bb ♭VII 4 F IV 5 Ab ♭VI 6 Eb ♭III 7 Fm iv 8 G V
What to play over it In C minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
C Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
G Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes G A♭ B C D E♭ F
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
F Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes F G A B♭ C D E♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in C minor · The key of C minor
Spanish Epic in C# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 C#m i 2 G# V 3 B ♭VII 4 F# IV 5 A ♭VI 6 E ♭III 7 F#m iv 8 G# V
What to play over it In C# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
C# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
G# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes G♯ A B♯ C♯ D♯ E F♯
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
F# Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in C# minor · The key of C# minor
Spanish Epic in D minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Dm i 2 A V 3 C ♭VII 4 G IV 5 Bb ♭VI 6 F ♭III 7 Gm iv 8 A V
What to play over it In D minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
D Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes D E F G A B♭ C
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
A Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes A B♭ C♯ D E F G
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
G Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes G A B C D E F
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in D minor · The key of D minor
Spanish Epic in Eb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Ebm i 2 Bb V 3 Db ♭VII 4 Ab IV 5 Cb ♭VI 6 Gb ♭III 7 Abm iv 8 Bb V
What to play over it In Eb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
Eb Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
Bb Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes B♭ C♭ D E♭ F G♭ A♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
Ab Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in Eb minor · The key of Eb minor
Spanish Epic in E minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Em i 2 B V 3 D ♭VII 4 A IV 5 C ♭VI 6 G ♭III 7 Am iv 8 B V
What to play over it In E minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
E Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes E F♯ G A B C D
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
B Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes B C D♯ E F♯ G A
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
A Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes A B C♯ D E F♯ G
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in E minor · The key of E minor
Spanish Epic in F minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Fm i 2 C V 3 Eb ♭VII 4 Bb IV 5 Db ♭VI 6 Ab ♭III 7 Bbm iv 8 C V
What to play over it In F minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
F Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
C Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes C D♭ E F G A♭ B♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
Bb Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes B♭ C D E♭ F G A♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in F minor · The key of F minor
Spanish Epic in F# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 F#m i 2 C# V 3 E ♭VII 4 B IV 5 D ♭VI 6 A ♭III 7 Bm iv 8 C# V
What to play over it In F# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
F# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
C# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes C♯ D E♯ F♯ G♯ A B
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
B Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in F# minor · The key of F# minor
Spanish Epic in G minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Gm i 2 D V 3 F ♭VII 4 C IV 5 Eb ♭VI 6 Bb ♭III 7 Cm iv 8 D V
What to play over it In G minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
G Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes G A B♭ C D E♭ F
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
D Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes D E♭ F♯ G A B♭ C
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
C Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes C D E F G A B♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in G minor · The key of G minor
Spanish Epic in G# minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 G#m i 2 D# V 3 F# ♭VII 4 C# IV 5 E ♭VI 6 B ♭III 7 C#m iv 8 D# V
What to play over it In G# minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
G# Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
D# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes D♯ E F♯♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
C# Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in G# minor · The key of G# minor
Spanish Epic in A minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Am i 2 E V 3 G ♭VII 4 D IV 5 F ♭VI 6 C ♭III 7 Dm iv 8 E V
What to play over it In A minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
A Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes A B C D E F G
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
E Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes E F G♯ A B C D
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
D Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes D E F♯ G A B C
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in A minor · The key of A minor
Spanish Epic in Bb minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bbm i 2 F V 3 Ab ♭VII 4 Eb IV 5 Gb ♭VI 6 Db ♭III 7 Ebm iv 8 F V
What to play over it In Bb minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
Bb Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
F Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes F G♭ A B♭ C D♭ E♭
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
Eb Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D♭
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in Bb minor · The key of Bb minor
Spanish Epic in B minor Bar Chord Numeral 1 Bm i 2 F# V 3 A ♭VII 4 E IV 5 G ♭VI 6 D ♭III 7 Em iv 8 F# V
What to play over it In B minor. Shapes on each progression's own page.
Bar by bar This one plays the 6th both ways, flat and natural, so no single scale fits the whole thing. The scale changes with the chord.
Bars 1, 3, 5–7
B Natural Minor (Aeolian) the plain minor scale Notes B C♯ D E F♯ G A
Home base — the one set of notes all these bars share.
Chord-Scale Reference §3 / §7.4
Bars 2, 8
F# Phrygian dominant Phrygian, but with a major 3rd Notes F♯ G A♯ B C♯ D E
This chord raises the key's 7th so it pulls hard back home — plain minor can't do that, and the scale carries the raised note with it.
Chord-Scale Reference §3
Bar 4
E Mixolydian major with a flat 7th Notes E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D
A major IV in a minor key brightens the 6th. This is the key's notes counted from that chord.
Chord-Scale Reference §9.4
Play it in B minor · The key of B minor
Play it in Turnaround · The key of C minor