Chord Progressions in B Minor

Chord progressions to play in B minor

i-iv-v-i: Bm – Em – F#m – Bm

Three minor chords, calm and dark. (Bm = B D F# · Em = E G B · F#m = F# A C# · Bm = B D F#)

i-VI-III-VII: Bm – G – D – A

Minor but strong, it climbs and falls. (Bm = B D F# · G = G B D · D = D F# A · A = A C# E)

i-iv-V-i: Bm – Em – F# – Bm

One raised note in V makes the return stronger. (Bm = B D F# · Em = E G B · F# = F# A# C# · Bm = B D F#)

iiø-V-i: C#m7b5 – F#7 – Bm7

The minor version of the jazz cadence. (C#m7b5 = C# E G B · F#7 = F# A# C# E · Bm7 = B D F# A)

i-VII-VI-VII: Bm – A – G – A

Steps down and up again, good for long jams. (Bm = B D F# · A = A C# E · G = G B D · A = A C# E)

i-VI-iv-V: Bm – G – Em – F#

A dramatic loop with a strong pull at the end. (Bm = B D F# · G = G B D · Em = E G B · F# = F# A# C#)

How to practise a progression

1. Count four beats per chord and name it out loud.
2. Repeat the loop until the changes need no thinking.
3. Speed up only when every change is clean.