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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:41:58

D minor is often called “the saddest of all keys,” but this course shows you it can also be a lot of fun. It’s closely related to F major, so the notes will feel familiar. You’ll learn the D minor scale in each hand, plus two variations that give minor music its unique flavor. You’ll also play it up the keyboard and learn Jonny’s tricks for playing scales quickly.

Next, you’ll learn the 10 chords you’ll find in almost every D minor song and four chord progressions (chord patterns) used in popular music. Then you’ll bring it all together with Jonny’s Moon Flight, a fun original swing tune and a tip of the hat to “Fly Me to the Moon.”

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

Course Objectives
  • Play D natural, harmonic and melodic minor across multiple octaves, with tricks for building speed
  • Learn the 10 most common chords and four essential chord progressions in D minor
  • Use inversions and voice leading to make your chord changes smooth and effortless
  • Swing through Jonny's Moon Flight with a full backing track
  • Accompany other musicians using three chord grooves in D minor
Learning Focus
  • Chords
  • Groove
  • Lead Sheets
  • Scales
  • Songs

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Fun and Rewarding
Bravo, I can't believe I did it! I'm so excited for learning two handed coordination with a pattern. It's been a long time coming and I'm so excited to continue on with the PWJ lessons.
Circle progression is the best!
I had fun working on the most common chord progressions for D minor. I did a short video for the Dm, Gm, Edim, A progression. It was spooky and fun at the same time. The Johnny's moonlight was definitely a reminder of Fly Me to the Moon. I loved the circle of 4ths ascending, circle of 5ths descending. This was a fun progression to just work on with improvisation. Dm, Gm, C, F, Bflat, Edim, A, Dm
Fun and helpful but….
Adding the fingering numbers on the pdf would have made it a lot easier.
Inspiring
Love all the chord progressions and songs.
Learned so much
Learned so much as all courses and inspired and had fun

Course Lessons

1
Key of D Minor – Lesson 1
14:53

Natural, Harmonic & Melodic Minor Scales

2
Key of D Minor – Lesson 2
16:32

4 Chord Progressions

3
Key of D Minor – Lesson 3
31:29

“Jonny’s Moonflight,” Melody, Chords, & Groove Options

5
Key of D Minor – Lesson 5
10:19

Performance with Backing Track

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Fun and Rewarding
Bravo, I can't believe I did it! I'm so excited for learning two handed coordination with a pattern. It's been a long time coming and I'm so excited to continue on with the PWJ lessons.
Circle progression is the best!
I had fun working on the most common chord progressions for D minor. I did a short video for the Dm, Gm, Edim, A progression. It was spooky and fun at the same time. The Johnny's moonlight was definitely a reminder of Fly Me to the Moon. I loved the circle of 4ths ascending, circle of 5ths descending. This was a fun progression to just work on with improvisation. Dm, Gm, C, F, Bflat, Edim, A, Dm
Fun and helpful but….
Adding the fingering numbers on the pdf would have made it a lot easier.
Inspiring
Love all the chord progressions and songs.
Learned so much
Learned so much as all courses and inspired and had fun
Related Courses

Explore the festive, spirited key of F major and learn the one small fingering twist that sets its scale apart. You'll also learn the chords behind popular songs and finish with a fun Latin-flavored original tune.

Discover the moody, dramatic sound of a minor key, and learn the three scales that give it its unique character. You'll finish by playing Jonny Darko, a fun original tune.

Get your groove on with the funky, bluesy side of G minor. You'll learn the scales and chords that make this key tick, then play and improvise over Flunkalicious, a funky blues original.

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