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Progression lesson

Am G F E triad lesson for a dramatic minor descent.

Use the Am G F E descent to practice dramatic minor movement without losing your triad map.

Am G F E triad lesson shown as a Guitar Triad Trainer lesson card.
Am -> G -> F -> E is the lesson loop. Keep the full progression visible and move through nearby triad shapes.
Progression Am -> G -> F -> E
Roman numerals i VII VI V
Starting tempo 100 BPM

The loop

Step 1 Am Step 2 G Step 3 F Step 4 E

Six patterns

Play this progression three ways on G-B-E and three ways on D-G-B.

Each route starts from a different inversion, then follows the closest connected triad shapes through the same progression.

G-B-E patterns

G-B-E

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. Am G2 R | B1 3 | E0 5 root
  2. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  3. F G2 3 | B1 5 | E1 R 1st inv.
  4. E G1 3 | B0 5 | E0 R 1st inv.
G-B-E

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. Am G5 3 | B5 5 | E5 R 1st inv.
  2. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  3. F G5 5 | B6 R | E5 3 2nd inv.
  4. E G4 5 | B5 R | E4 3 2nd inv.
G-B-E

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. Am G9 5 | B10 R | E8 3 2nd inv.
  2. G G7 5 | B8 R | E7 3 2nd inv.
  3. F G10 R | B10 3 | E8 5 root
  4. E G9 R | B9 3 | E7 5 root

D-G-B patterns

D-G-B

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. Am D7 R | G5 3 | B5 5 root
  2. G D5 R | G4 3 | B3 5 root
  3. F D7 3 | G5 5 | B6 R 1st inv.
  4. E D6 3 | G4 5 | B5 R 1st inv.
D-G-B

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. Am D10 3 | G9 5 | B10 R 1st inv.
  2. G D9 3 | G7 5 | B8 R 1st inv.
  3. F D10 5 | G10 R | B10 3 2nd inv.
  4. E D9 5 | G9 R | B9 3 2nd inv.
D-G-B

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. Am D2 5 | G2 R | B1 3 2nd inv.
  2. G D0 5 | G0 R | B0 3 2nd inv.
  3. F D3 R | G2 3 | B1 5 root
  4. E D2 R | G1 3 | B0 5 root

Why this progression works

Am sets the minor mood, G and F walk downward, and E makes the return to Am feel unavoidable. The harmony feels dramatic, but the best triad path can still be small and controlled.

What to practice

Track the descending pull between chords while keeping the shape changes clean and deliberate.

  1. Start on Am and choose a shape that gives you room to move downward.
  2. Move to G without over-sliding past the nearest inversion.
  3. Let F continue the descent while keeping the notes clear.
  4. Use E as the tension chord that points back to Am.

Workout settings

  • Strings: 4-3-2 or 3-2-1
  • Tempo: 76 to 100 BPM
  • Goal: hear the descent while staying in one connected lane
Full progression strip in Guitar Triad Trainer.
The full loop stays visible while current and next shapes are highlighted.
Nearest triad shape on the Guitar Triad Trainer fretboard.
Nearest-shape practice keeps the movement musical and playable.

Good search intents for this lesson

  • Am G F E guitar
  • Andalusian cadence guitar
  • minor triads guitar
  • CAGED inversions

Practice Am -> G -> F -> E in time.

Guitar Triad Trainer keeps the progression visible, highlights the current and next moves, and helps you choose connected CAGED shapes.

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More progression lessons

C G Am F triad lesson C Am F G triad lesson Am F C G triad lesson Connect progressions All practice guides