Some chords are pretty easy to identify because, regardess of the context, they are used in the same way. The minor four is a good example of this: regardless of where it’s used, it is used to make things sound “sad” in a pretty typical way. Unfortunately, I can’t be specific about whether this is used as a substitute for a `two` or a `five` or a `one`. This is because the minor four can be used as a `two` sometimes, and used as a `five` at other times. It depends on the context, but I don’t have a better set of rules, and explaining it futher would be getting too far into the weeds. For the moment, you should focus on using your ears to identify the sound of the minor four. Regardless of the context, it’s usually very distinct, so you should be able to recognise it.

Examples

Rory - Playing the minor four with examples

Here’s a longer video where I try and really hammer home what the minor four sounds like, with many examples.

Gene Austin - Lonesome Road

In lonesome road, the verses go straight from the I to the iv. The actual chord progression is I-iv-I-V-I I’ve italicised the part where you the minor four is, you should be able to sense the tension in that chord, compared with the other chords that get played.

Look down, look down, that lonesome road, before you travel on. Look up, look up, and meet your maker, for Gabe who blows his horn.

Zayn Malik - iT’s YoU

This chord progression is very similar to Lonesome Road by Gene Austin. Explicitly, it is: I-iv-I-iii (I think) Again, below, i’ve italicised where the minor four is. It’s also the same for the chorus, see if you can sense where it is.

She got, she got, she got, her own reasons, for talking to me. She don’t she don’t, she don’t, give a f*** about, what I need.

Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

The next few examples take longer to get to the minor four, but they’re still obvious. The chord progression is: I-I7-IV-iv Christina’s example is probably the most obvious.

Everyday, is so wonderful, then suddenly, it’s hard to breathe Now and then, I get insecure, from all the pain, i’m so ashamed

She really puts the sad words on the sad chord. The sad chord being the minor four.

Ariana Grande - My Everything

Ariana has the exact same chord progression as Christina, but it’s in a different key (you can hear it has a slightly different colour). To reiterate, the progression is: I-I7-IV-iv

I cried enough tears to see my own reflection in them And then it was clear, I can’t deny, I really miss them

Once again, that last chord in the progression is the sad chord, and that sad chord is the minor four.

Stevie Wonder - Happier than the Morning Sun

In this song, Stevie Wonder has the same chord progression as Christina Aguilera and Ariana Grande, at least for the first part of the song. To reiterate, that progression is: I-I7-IV-iv

I’m happier than the morning sun, and that’s the way said that it would be

Elvis - Love Me Tender

Love me tender has two real sections. The first section (the verse) is a I-II-V-I progression. The second section, the chorus, is much more interesting: I-III-vi-I7-IV-iv-I Not that you need to know that, but you can see the minor four is in the chorus there. Your goal is to work out where. Just remember, listen through, and feel where it is. Being analytical won’t help as much as getting a good intuition.

D’angelo - Untitled (how does it feel)

One of my favourite songs. The chord progression is something like I-v-IV-iv or something similar enough. Therefore, you should be able to hear the minor four at the end of each bar. For example, in the chorus, the first time around.

How does it feel? How does it feel?

That second real seductive feel, which has the tension. That’s the minor four. It might sound less sad, and more seductive, but that’s because it’s D’angelo, and he’s naked, staring you in the eyes. Snap out of it.

Silverchair - Open Fire (Ana’s Song)

Now, to be honest, i’m publishing this one without having listening to it in years. But i’m pretty sure there’s a really obvious minor four in it, at least somewhere in the choruses. Listen out for it. Daniel Johns really emphasises the tension because he’s singing that tense part of the chord.

Open fire, on the needs designed, On my knees for you-ouuu