Progression map
A harmonic route through the tune. Select chord.
Sounding chord
——→
Minor framework
——A practical guide
Minor Conversion Lab
Isolate a minor-chord shape inside a jazz progression.
Build a lead sheet
Enter one bar per vertical bar. Separate changes inside a bar with commas. Example: Dm7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7
Use chord symbols: m7, maj7, 7, m7♭5, sus4, or altered dominants.
Technique
phrase
Fretboard view
Root is gold; other notes from selected scale shape are teal. Frets 1–12, standard tuning E–A–D–G–B–E.
Selected-shape rootRemaining shape tones
Methodology
Hear the chord first. Identify its function and target resolution.
Borrow a familiar minor shape. The shape guides and informs.
Land on a guide tone. Aim for the 3rd or 7th of the actual chord, especially across a resolution.
Connect. short motifs.
Conversion reference
m7 same-root m7 is the chord itself.
7 minor chord a fifth above gives 5, ♭7, 9, 11. Treat the 11 carefully against a major 3rd.
maj7 relative minor below gives 6, 1, 3, 5: a useful melodic subset, not the full major sound.
m7♭5 minor a minor third above gives ♭3, ♭5, ♭7, ♭9.
The mappings are starting points. For altered dominants, choose tones by the written alteration and resolution; no single conversion guarantees every altered color.