Mi Descending Minor Cliché
vi – viM7 – vi7 – II progression in Mi major
Mi Descending Minor Cliché — vi – viM7 – vi7 – II
The E Descending Minor Cliché (C#m – C#m – C#m – F#) 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 (C#m7 – C#mM7 – C#m7 – F#7), the chromatic descent is fully realized.
Playing in Mi major
E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to C# by perfect fourth.
Capo Transposition
To play in E using familiar open chords: capo 2 with open D shapes; capo 4 with open C shapes; capo 7 with open A 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
E 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, E 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.