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Key of A Minor – Jonny Darko

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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:36:17

Every major key has a darker partner, and A minor is the partner of C major.

Major keys tend to sound happy and bright, while minor keys sound darker and more emotional. A minor is the perfect first minor key to learn, because like C major, it uses only the white keys. In this course, you’ll learn the A minor scale in each hand, plus two variations that give minor music its unique flavor. You’ll hear how each one sounds a little different.

Next, you’ll learn the chords used most often in A minor and four common chord progressions (chord patterns) you’ll hear in real songs. Then you’ll bring it all together with Jonny Darko, a fun original tune with a playful nod to a certain movie.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll learn inversions, which are different ways to play the same chord, and use them to make Jonny Darko sound smoother. Then you’ll play it along with a bass and drums backing track, so it feels like you’re playing in a band. Finally, you’ll learn simple ways to play chords for someone else to sing or play along to.

Course Objectives
  • Play the A natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales and understand how they differ
  • Learn the most common chords and four essential chord progressions in A minor
  • Use inversions and smooth voice leading to connect minor chords beautifully
  • Perform Jonny Darko along with a bass and drums backing track
  • Support a singer or instrumentalist with simple, effective accompaniment grooves
Learning Focus
  • Chords
  • Groove
  • Lead Sheets
  • Scales
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Challenging. Kinda fun!
I need more practice but I'm feeling a little more confident.
Music Theory is Starting to Make Sense!
This is just my second "Key of" lesson, but I am learning a lot and everything is broken down logically so that it is easy to assimilate the new information. I also appreciate having two different instructors, as that adds another perspective, which helps me to remember the concepts.
Challenging
Loved the applications and grooves, however for a beginner level the issue of hand coordination is (at least for me) a downer. I wish there had been a little more help / technique / progressive exercises on that.
Super fun!
Johnny Darko was a fun song to play. Great lesson on inversions!
Good to know basic scales and chords.
Not only memorizing chords, but also enjoying playing some songs.

Course Lessons

1
Key of A Minor – Lesson 1
17:12

Natural, Harmonic, & Melodic Minor Scales

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2
Key of A Minor – Lesson 2
16:02

Common Chord Progressions, 4 Examples

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3
Key of A Minor – Lesson 3
26:04

Jonny Darko, Lead Sheet, Melody, Chords, Patterns

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4
Key of A Minor – Lesson 4
21:00

Inversions

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5
Key of A Minor – Lesson 5
6:34

Performance with Backing Track

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6
Key of A Minor – Lesson 6
9:25

Accompaniment

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Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Challenging. Kinda fun!
I need more practice but I'm feeling a little more confident.
Music Theory is Starting to Make Sense!
This is just my second "Key of" lesson, but I am learning a lot and everything is broken down logically so that it is easy to assimilate the new information. I also appreciate having two different instructors, as that adds another perspective, which helps me to remember the concepts.
Challenging
Loved the applications and grooves, however for a beginner level the issue of hand coordination is (at least for me) a downer. I wish there had been a little more help / technique / progressive exercises on that.
Super fun!
Johnny Darko was a fun song to play. Great lesson on inversions!
Good to know basic scales and chords.
Not only memorizing chords, but also enjoying playing some songs.
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Key of D Minor – Jonny’s Moonflight

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Key of E Minor – PWJ Active

Explore the haunting, anthemic sound of E minor, a favorite key for rock and pop. You'll learn all three minor scales with smooth thumb crossings and finish with a stadium-ready original tune inspired by Imagine Dragons.

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