Minor ballad (i–VII–VI–VII) (i – VII – VI – VII)

Stays inside natural minor with no leading tone, so it floats: a folk and rock-ballad mood.

In A minor

Open in the generator (rhythm, transpose, MIDI) →

In all 12 keys

Mode: minor (natural). The capo column shows the fret where most chords become easy open shapes.

Key	Chords	Capo
C minor	Cm – B♭ – A♭ – B♭	1.
C♯ minor	C♯m – B – A – B	2.
D minor	Dm – C – B♭ – C	–
E♭ minor	E♭m – D♭ – C♭ – D♭	1.
E minor	Em – D – C – D	–
F minor	Fm – E♭ – D♭ – E♭	1.
F♯ minor	F♯m – E – D – E	2.
G minor	Gm – F – E♭ – F	3.
G♯ minor	G♯m – F♯ – E – F♯	4.
A minor	Am – G – F – G	5.
B♭ minor	B♭m – A♭ – G♭ – A♭	6.
B minor	Bm – A – G – A	7.

Similar progressions

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of the Minor ballad (i–VII–VI–VII) in A minor?

Am – G – F – G (i – VII – VI – VII).

Which key is easiest on guitar?

With only open chords and no capo: E minor. For other keys, the capo column in the table shows where to clamp it.

What do the Roman numerals mean?

The degrees of the key: I = tonic (1st degree), IV = 4th, V = 5th. Upper case is a major chord, lower case minor; ° means diminished, ø half-diminished and ♭ a lowered degree. That's what lets you move the progression to any key.

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