A Minor Circle (Am)
i - VI - iv - V7 progression in A minor with harmonic tension on E7
A minor begins with a single touch: finger 2 on fret 2 of string 4. Moving to F major that finger stays anchored and you simply add finger 1 on fret 1 of string 2. For D minor keep both fingers down and place finger 3 on fret 2 of string 3. For E7 finger 1 moves to fret 1 of string 4, finger 2 to string 3 and finger 3 to string 1, leaving string 2 open.
How the chords connect in A minor
The progression
This circle goes through Am, F, Dm and E7, which in A minor are degrees i, VI, iv and V7. At 88 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.7 seconds and the whole round about 10.9.
The notes of each chord
In Am you hear A, C and E. F holds F, A and C. In Dm you hear D, F and A. E7 holds E, G#, B and D.
From one chord to the next
From Am to F, A and C stay, and one hand position stays put. F and Dm keep F and A in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From Dm to E7, D stays, and one hand position stays put.
Back to the start
Going back from E7 to Am, G# rises a semitone to A and D falls a whole tone to C. The two chords share E.
The hand
Am rings with three strings open and one fretted position. F presses two positions and leaves two strings open. Dm rings with string 1 open and three fretted positions. E7 presses three positions and leaves string 2 open. The highest fret in the circle is fret 2, in Am. None of the four chords uses a barre.
Key map: Am
- Key signature
- no sharps or flats
- Scale notes
- A – B – C – D – E – F – G
The 7 chords of the key
- iAm
- ii°Bdim
- IIIC
- ivDm
- VE
- VIF
- VIIG
In minor, V is major thanks to the leading tone (raised 7th degree).
- Relative key
- C
A Minor Circle (Am) circle for ukulele
Am 2000 · F 2010 · Dm 2210 · E7 1202
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you connect chords in the A minor circle without pauses?
A minor and F major share finger 2 on fret 2 of string 4, which acts as an anchor so you never need to lift your whole hand.
What is the advantage of using E7 instead of E minor?
It provides the leading tone G sharp which creates strong harmonic pull toward the root A minor, giving the cadence a decisive resolution.
How does the harmonic cadence resolve in A minor on ukulele?
The progression resolves toward the root moving from E7 to A minor, using the leading tone G sharp to close the phrase.