Minor Keys

Comfortably Numb

Part 2 in my Guitar Keys series (see here for part 1)

In addition to the twelve major keys there are also twelve minor keys. Every minor key contains the same notes and chords as what is known as it's "relative major" key. (more on that topic in a future blog)

Countless famous songs are written in minor keys: "Thrill is Gone", "I Shot the Sheriff", "Comfortably Numb" and "While my Guitar Gently Weeps".

Here's a process you can use to calculate the diatonic chords in all twelve minor keys:

  1. Pick the minor key you want to play in.
  2. Write out the minor scale of that root.
 3. Plug in the following chord quality pattern: minor, diminished, major, minor, minor, major, major

Example: A minor scales= A - B - C - D - E - F- G chords in key of A minor= A minor, B diminished, C major, D minor, E minor, F major and G major

There is a caveat in minor keys involving the fifth chord which is that they are often played as either major or dominant 7th chords. Example: in key of A minor it's common to play the E minor (the five chord) as either E major or E7.

 Next week - Major Keys...