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The problem it solves
The major mode is not the only tonal centre. To accompany and analyse music in minor you need to know which chords come naturally out of a minor key and what character they have, before introducing the leading tone.
Detailed theory
Key idea
Each degree of the natural minor generates a diatonic triad: i ii° III iv v VI VII.
They are exactly the same chords as the relative major, but starting to count from the 6th degree.
Understand it
Just like in major, you stack two thirds on each note of the scale using only notes of the scale. On the natural minor seven triads come out with their own pattern of qualities: i minor, ii° diminished, III major, iv minor, v minor, VI major and VII major.
In A natural minor the seven chords are Am (i), B° (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI) and G (VII). As in C major, you use no accidentals: it is all white keys grouped into seven triads.
And here is the key connection: they are the same seven chords as C major's, because A minor and C major share notes (they are relatives). The only difference is where you start: the minor begins on the 6th degree of its relative major.
Notice the v: in the natural minor the fifth degree is MINOR (in A minor, Em), not a major dominant. That is why natural minor progressions sound less pushed toward the tonic than major ones. To recover that tension, the harmonic minor raises the 7th degree and turns the v into a V major; that, however, is beyond the scope of this concept (you only need to be able to mention it).
An analogy: if the major and its relative minor are the same house, the diatonic chords are the same furniture. In minor you simply enter through another door (the 6th degree), and that is why the light falls differently: the same material, a different mood.
Chord progression
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The i-iv-v degrees of A natural minor: all three are minor (Am, Dm, Em). The minor v is what tells the natural minor apart from a major dominant.
How to recognise it
How it's written
They are written with Roman numerals according to the degree of the natural minor: lowercase for the minor chords (i, iv, v), uppercase for the major ones (III, VI, VII) and the symbol ° for the diminished (ii°). So the pattern i ii° III iv v VI VII works for any minor key.
How it feels
Play the seven chords from i to VII: they sound like a family with a more inward, darker colour than the major. Notice that the v (minor) does not pull toward the tonic as strongly as a major dominant would. It does not mean sad; it is more useful to speak of a dark colour and less tension toward home.
Common mistake
Expecting the v to be major (a dominant): in the natural minor the v is minor; only the harmonic minor makes it major by raising the 7th.
Forgetting the ii° and treating it as a minor chord: on the 2nd degree of the natural minor a diminished triad comes out.
Try it
Play the seven triads of A natural minor one after another (Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F, G) and say the quality of each one.
Chain i-VI-VII-i in A minor (Am-F-G-Am) and hear how the major VI and VII give the typical colour of minor progressions.
On the instrument
Chord progression
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The seven diatonic triads of A natural minor: i (Am) ii° (B°) III (C) iv (Dm) v (Em) VI (F) VII (G). The same chords as C major, from the 6th degree.
Where it's used
- Harmonising in the minor mode
- Choosing chords that come from the natural minor (for example i-VI-VII-i) to accompany a minor melody.
- Using the relative major
- Recognising that the chords of a minor key are the same as those of its relative major, seen from another centre.
- Telling the v from the dominant
- Knowing that in the natural minor the v is minor, and deciding when to raise the 7th to turn it into a V major.
Examples
Chord progression
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A i-VI-VII-i progression in A minor: the minor tonic, the open colour of the major VI and VII and the return home. Only with natural minor chords.
Exercises
Recognise the minor diatonic chords — basic
Tell apart the minor and major triads that appear in a natural minor key.
Complete 5 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Recognise the minor diatonic chords — intermediate
Add the diminished triad (degree ii°) to the mix of qualities.
Complete 8 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Recognise the minor diatonic chords — advanced
Master the three triad qualities found in a natural minor key.
Complete 10 attempts · 70% accuracy to pass
Mini test
Check that you've got it.
0/10 answeredQuestion 1/10
How many diatonic chords does the natural minor scale have?