Common minor chords
Here we learn four common minor chords – Em, Am, Dm and Gm – and their inversions
E minor (E-G-B)
Play the chord in its root position with the right hand and then the left. Using
the same finger pattern, repeat this step with the first and second inversions.
Practise moving through these three positions until you feel confident.D minor (D-F-A)
Repeat the exercises you have just completed, but this time try mixing up
the order of the inversions. In particular, practise moving from second to root
position. Practise playing a different inversion in the left hand to that in the right.A minor (A-C-E)
As before, play the chord in its root position with the right hand and then the
left. Now play the first and second inversions. By now you should feel confident
recognising the melancholy sound of the minor chord.G minor (G-Bb-D)
Make yourself confident with this chord using the three exercises you have just
completed. To remind yourself of how a minor chord is formed, practise moving
from G major to G minor by lowering the third by one semitone.