Chord Progressions in D Minor

Common progressions in D minor

i-iv-v-i: Dm – Gm – Am – Dm

Three minor chords, calm and dark. (Dm = D F A · Gm = G Bb D · Am = A C E · Dm = D F A)

i-VI-III-VII: Dm – Bb – F – C

A big, epic minor loop heard in film music and rock. (Dm = D F A · Bb = Bb D F · F = F A C · C = C E G)

i-iv-V-i: Dm – Gm – A – Dm

One raised note in V makes the return stronger. (Dm = D F A · Gm = G Bb D · A = A C# E · Dm = D F A)

iiø-V-i: Em7b5 – A7 – Dm7

A dark, smooth way back to the minor home chord. (Em7b5 = E G Bb D · A7 = A C# E G · Dm7 = D F A C)

i-VII-VI-VII: Dm – C – Bb – C

A rocking back-and-forth that never quite lands. (Dm = D F A · C = C E G · Bb = Bb D F · C = C E G)

i-VI-iv-V: Dm – Bb – Gm – A

A dramatic loop with a strong pull at the end. (Dm = D F A · Bb = Bb D F · Gm = G Bb D · A = A C# E)

How to practise a progression

1. Count four beats per chord and name it out loud.
2. Loop the progression until you no longer look at your hands.
3. Go faster only once each change sounds clean.