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A song written using the standard chord formula derived from a major
scale (1, 2m, 3m, 4, 5, 6m, 7° or 57) is said to be diatonic . Because there are only three major chords in a key (1, 4, &
5) major chord changes are fairly easy to hear and anticipate. (At
the very least you have a 50% chance of changing to the right chord
from wherever you are!) Songs become more complicated when minor chords
(2m, 3m, & 6m) are introduced. It is
simple to tell the difference between a major and minor chord when
played out of context (major chords are "happy", minor chords
are "sad".) However, in the context of a key it is some-times
difficult to tell them apart. This is not a negative, rather minor
chords add subtle
variety to songs. With experience you will soon learn to play and
discern all of the chord changes within a key.
The following simple progressions utilize minor chords in typical
fashion. Enjoy the "harmonious interplay" as you play them
in various keys.
The inspiration
for writing songs often comes from selecting a few diationic chords
and playing them in repeated 4- or 8-measure patterns (progressions).
Try coming up with your own. (The lyrics are often the tough part
for me. "I got up this morning, took a shower, then ate breakfast--oh
yeah, baby baby.")
If you learn to hear the changes in this progression you will be able
to interpret hundreds of songs on your own. Play this in different
keys.
Process
of Elimination and Frequency of Use
When you are interpreting (by ear) chord changes involving minor chords
use the following procedure. Try the 6m chord first as it is used
far more often than the other minor chords.
If that doesn't fly try the 2m which is used the second most often.
If neither the 6m or 2m work try the 3m, the least-used minor chord.
If none of them work, the song may be using an accidental chord, one
that is outside of the key.
The following is a list of diatonic songs on this website
that use minor chords.
ROCK
AND I
LOVE HER
ANGEL
OF THE MORNING
AT
THE HOP
BROWN
EYED GIRL
CAN'T
BUY ME LOVE
CENTER
FIELD
DANCIN'
IN THE DARK
DO
WAH DIDDY
DO
YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC
DON'T
BE CRUEL
GARDEN
PARTY
HEAT
WAVE
I
CAN'T HELP MYSELF
I FEEL
FINE
I GOT
MY MIND SET ON YOU
I
JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU
I'M LOOKING
THROUGH YOU
I'VE JUST
SEEN A FACE
LAST
KISS
LEAN
ON ME
LET IT
BE
LODI
LONELY
PEOPLE
LONG
AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT
LOOKIN'
OUT MY BACK DOOR
LUKA
MY
GIRL
NOBODY
BUT ME
NOWHERE
MAN
OB-LA-DI,
OB-LA-DA
PEACEFUL
EASY FEELIN'
RUNAROUND
SUE
SHAKE
RATTLE AND ROLLZ
SILHOUETTES
TAKE
IT EASY
TURN
TURN TURN
UNDER
THE BOARDWALK
WHO'LL
STOP THE RAIN
WILD
NIGHT
Y.M.C.A.
YELLOW
SUBMARINE
COUNTRY
BACK
HOME AGAIN
CAJUN
MOON
EVERYBODY'S
TALKIN'
GENTLE
ON MY MIND
GOING
GONE
HEARTBROKE
HOW
MUCH DO I OWE YOU
I
WOULDN'T CHANGE YOU IF I COULD
I'M
AN OLD COWHAND
I'M
SO LONESOME I COULD CRY
LEAVIN
LOUISIANA IN THE BROAD DAYLIGHT
LOOKIN'
FOR LOVE
LOVE
UNDECIDED
MAMA
TRIED
MOUNTAIN
OF LOVE
NO
GETTIN' OVER ME
ONE
PROMISE TOO LATE
THE
ROSE
SNOWBIRD
THANKS
A LOT
THINK
CALLED LOVE
TRY
A LITTLE KINDNESS
FOLK
AMAZING
GRACE
AND
SO IT GOES
ANNIE'S
SONG
THE
BANANA BOAT SONG
BATTLE
HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
BLOWIN'
IN THE WIND
BOTH
SIDES NOW
THE
BOXER
CATCH
THE WIND
CHIMES
OF FREEDOM
DON'T
THINK TWICE (IT'S ALL RIGHT)
FIVE
HUNDRED MILES
FOUR
STRONG WINDS
GARDEN
SONG
HEART
OF GOLD
I
SHALL BE RELEASED
IF I
HAD A HAMMER
KNOCKIN'
ON HEAVEN'S DOOR
KUM
BA YAH
LEAVING
ON A JET PLANE
LIKE
A ROLLING STONE
MICHAEL
MR.
TAMBOURINE MAN
MOTHER
AND CHILD REUNION
MY
BACK PAGES
ONE
TIN SOLDIER
POEMS,
PRAYERS, AND PROMISES
RHYMES
AND REASONS
SHENANDOAH
SIMPLE
SONG OF FREEDOM
SUNSHINE
ON MY SHOULDERS
TEACH
YOUR CHILDREN
THE
TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'
THEY
CALL THE WIND MARIAH
THE UNIVERSAL
SOLDIER
WHERE
HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
YOU
AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE
CHRISTMAS
ANGELS
WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
AWAY
IN A MANGER
FELIZ
NAVIDAD
THE
FIRST NOEL
I
SAW THREE SHIPS
O
CHRISTMAS TREE
SILVER
BELLS
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