Do Descending Minor Cliché
vi – viM7 – vi7 – II progression in Do major
Do Descending Minor Cliché — vi – viM7 – vi7 – II
The C Descending Minor Cliché (Am – Am – Am – D) is a voice-leading movement through the vi chord — from minor to minMaj7 to minor7 — using chromatic inner-voice motion derived from Melodic Minor and Harmonic Minor scales. The Minor #7m Pentatonic and Minor Six Pentatonic scales map directly onto the resulting chord tones. This sophisticated technique is central to jazz standards and classic orchestral pop. With seventh voicings (Am7 – AmM7 – Am7 – D7), the chromatic descent is fully realized.
Playing in Do major
With no sharps or flats, C major is the theoretical home base on guitar. The open G, B, and high E strings all belong to the C major chord, creating natural sustain. C is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open B and high E strings ring within the scale, and every basic chord uses familiar open shapes. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through A to A (ascending unison), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D to A by perfect fourth.
Capo Transposition
To play in C using familiar open chords: capo 3 with open A shapes; capo 5 with open G shapes. Choose the capo position that gives you the voicings you prefer — lower capo positions produce a fuller sound, while higher positions create a brighter, mandolin-like timbre.
Scales for Soloing
C major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, C Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.
Strumming Pattern
Use D-DU-UDU at 100-120 BPM for a standard pop strum. Accent beats 2 and 4 for a backbeat feel. Vary dynamics between verse (lighter) and chorus (stronger) to build energy.