Song in A minor (Am)
Guide notes with dominant leading tone resolving to minor tonic
In A minor the violin explores the darker timbre of the D string and the expressive low second finger on F natural. On the E7 chord the leading tone G sharp requires a high third finger on the D string. The resolution to A minor releases this tension cleanly as the open A string rings.
What the violin plays, bar by bar
The progression
- Am
i · Bar 1, 4
- Dm
iv · Bar 2
- E7
V7 · Bar 3
It runs in 4/4 at 80 beats per minute, so each bar lasts about 3 seconds and the whole round about 12.
Bar by bar
| Bar | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Am | A4C5E5C5 |
| 2 | Dm | D4F4A4F4 |
| 3 | E7 | B4D5G#4B4 |
| 4 | Am | A4C5B4A4 |
Notes with a dotted border are not part of the chord.
Where each chord sits
- Am
Bar 1, Am.
The guide notes are A4, the root, and C5, the minor third.
The phrase plays A4 on open string 2, C5 on string 2 with finger 2, E5 on open string 1 and C5 on string 2 with finger 2.
- Dm
Bar 2, Dm.
The guide notes are D4, the root, and F4, the minor third.
The phrase plays D4 on open string 3, F4 on string 3 with finger 2, A4 on open string 2 and F4 on string 3 with finger 2.
- E7
Bar 3, E7.
The guide notes are G#4, the major third, and D5, the minor seventh.
The phrase plays B4 on string 2 with finger 1, D5 on string 2 with finger 3, G#4 on string 3 with finger 3 and B4 on string 2 with finger 1.
- Am
Bar 4, Am.
The guide notes are A4, the root, and C5, the minor third.
The phrase plays A4 on open string 2, C5 on string 2 with finger 2, B4 on string 2 with finger 1 and A4 on open string 2.
B is not a note of Am.
How the root moves
A4 → D4 → E4 → A4
The roots are A4, D4, E4 and A4. A4 to D4 goes down seven semitones, D4 to E4 goes up two semitones and E4 to A4 goes up five semitones.
The lowest note of the circle is D4 and the highest E5. It uses strings 3, 2 and 1. Strings 3, 2 and 1 ring open at some point.
Song in A minor (Am) melodic line for violin
One measure per chord with the first position slurred phrase for four-string violin (G, D, A, E).
Show violin sheet music in treble clef
Questions about this violin progression
How should the G sharp leading tone be tuned on the violin?
Place the third finger high on the D string close to where the open A note sounds, highlighting its directional pull toward tonic.
What is the physical difference between F natural and F sharp?
F natural touches the first finger on E as a low second finger, while F sharp leaves a full step gap.
Why does this progression feel more melancholic than major cycles?
The minor third interval between A and C creates the characteristic reflective quality of the natural and harmonic minor modes.