Similarly to primary chords, it’s really easy to work out the secondary chords in any key – they are the triads built on notes II, III and VI. So, in C major the secondary chords are D minor (II), E minor (III) and A minor (VI). Notice how these chords are all minor chords – these contrast with really well with the primary chords which
Minor keys, along with major keys, are a common choice for popular music. The three most important chords, built off the 1st, 4th and 5th scale degrees are all minor chords (F♯ minor, B minor, and C♯ minor). For chord progressions, statistics, and tendencies, view this key in Hooktheory TrendsFOUR Chord Progressions You Might Know About Already Four simple but effective chord progressions you can use in virtually any style of songwriting. 1. Those Four Chords – Major Edition I V vi IV C major C G Am F G major G D Em C E major E B C#m A 2. Those Four Chords – Minor Edition i VI III VII A minor Am F C G D minor Dm Bb F C This progression is Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song” in A minor: Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song (Live 1973) Am – F – G – C – Am – D – G – F – C – F – Bb – Bb – A – A. What’s important to notice here is that the D chord, Bb chord, and A chords don’t belong to the key. B6zo.