What’s four minor and what can I do with it?

I’ve had quite a few people ask me about iv/4/four minor and what can be done with it. That’s quite a loaded question: so we’re just going to answer it as easily as possible and then put it into action.

 

Four minor is just as it sounds, it’s the 4 chord that is substituted for a minor instead of the typical major. The reason for this substitution is, simply, to build tension and provide a more interesting way home than your typical 5-1 cadence or the 4-1 plagal cadence.

 

What are some progressions I can use it in?

The main use in pop progressions is as an extension of the 4 chord. In the Jazz world it’s often used as a ii-V progression to get back home (we’ll discuss this in another post at a later time).

 

Let’s step into G major for this discussion and write a song on it to show the application of 4 minor.

 

Let’s make a typical progression and use it for the backbone of our song. It will be:

 

1 – G major – G B D
6 – E minor – E G B
4 – C major – C E G
4 minor – C minor – C Eb G

 

You can play with the harmony on 4 minor chords by using either the b7 (Bb) or the natural 7 (B) of the chord, which changes the amount of tension (and key) you’re playing with. We’re going to employ the b7 (Bb) for the most part in our song today.

 

Let’s make our lyrics about the four minor chord and its unique harmonic pull.

 

Lyrics

We start it out in the safest place
Then drop it just a bit
We’re waiting for that minor chord
So we deliver it

It wraps us back up to the top
Without a single hitch
Just play the four chord as it is
Then give a little switch

Your major third will fall below
Into the minor land
If you’re barring it on the guitar
It sits nicely in your hand

It cycles back so easily
Exactly as it should
When you hear the minor switch
It will be understood so

Chorus

Let’s let the world know it’s here
Let’s get this sound into your ear
Let’s take some time right now and sing
Let’s all resolve our everything

Verse

I’m sure you hear the tension build
Whenever we approach
It’s easy if you hear it more
Just listen to them both

The difference there is subtle though
Easy to recognize
Just over play the chord changes
So it identifies and

Chorus

Let’s let the world know it’s here
Let’s get this sound into your ear
Let’s take some time right now and sing
Let’s all resolve our everything

Bridge

Step into subdominants
Playing 2 and 4
We need to make the latter one
Into a minor chord

Chorus

Let’s let the world know it’s here
Let’s get this sound into your ear
Let’s take some time right now and sing
Let’s all resolve our everything

Let’s let the world know it’s here
Let’s get this sound into your ear
Let’s take some time right now and sing
Let’s not resolve it, let it ring

 

Let’s give the song a listen:

 

 

The only chords of this song that are different from the above listed progression is the bridge which is A minor, C major, A minor, C minor. So we use all subdominant chords in the bridge and then close it off with our topic chord: 4 minor.

 

Aside from being a blast to play, it fills out the sound and gives you an example of what you can do with a harmonized solo. I used G major harmony in the solo for the first 3 chords of the progression and C Dorian (C D Eb G A Bb C) for the 4 minor chord. We’ll talk about harmonizing a solo section in another blog post.

 

Parting thoughts

This has been one example of the applications of 4 minor. The reason I chose to keep it simple is so you have time to digest the sound and see some simple building blocks for your own creative process.

 

If you have any questions about the song, want to learn how to play the solo, or want to learn more about composing and playing, then contact me for a lesson or leave a comment below. If you just want a one-off lesson then you can easily book one here.

 

Make sure to keep practicing, using your metronome, and being kind to yourself on your journey. If you’re trying to improve yourself in any way then the best way to do that is with self compassion and patience. If you get stuck, ask for help. If you discover or come up with something amazing and want to show the world your accomplishments, feel free to do so. I’d love to hear what you come up with!

 

Thank you for your valuable time. I appreciate you.

 

All the best,

 

– Matt