Chord Progressions in E Minor

Common progressions in E minor

i-iv-v-i: Em – Am – Bm – Em

The basic minor progression: home, away, back home. (Em = E G B · Am = A C E · Bm = B D F# · Em = E G B)

i-VI-III-VII: Em – C – G – D

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

i-iv-V-i: Em – Am – B – Em

Like the basic minor progression, but the major V pulls harder back home. (Em = E G B · Am = A C E · B = B D# F# · Em = E G B)

iiø-V-i: F#m7b5 – B7 – Em7

The minor version of the jazz cadence. (F#m7b5 = F# A C E · B7 = B D# F# A · Em7 = E G B D)

i-VII-VI-VII: Em – D – C – D

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

i-VI-iv-V: Em – C – Am – B

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

Three steps to learn any of these

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.