i - v - iv - V Chord Progression

Modal jazz. Uses natural minor scale with harmonic V chord (major dominant). Requires understanding of harmonic minor scale.

Select a key below to see the progression transposed. Click any chord to open its diagram and fingering.

Chords in the key of Em:

EmBmAmB

Chord diagrams — click to open fingering

BPM

One chord per bar (4/4). Loops until you pause.

Practice improvisation

Jam session: try soloing with the built-in progression player, or use a metronome to lock in your timing.

For a simple rule that usually sounds good, match the root of the scale to the key you chose above (Em): use E minor pentatonic. The notes line up with that tonal center so your lines feel connected to the chords. Borrowed or altered chords can add color, but this minor pentatonic is still a reliable starting point for practice.

E minor pentatonic, position 1

EADGBe1213141516
Root notes in blue; other scale tones in dark gray.

Open E minor pentatonic on the interactive fretboard

All keys at a glance

This progression works in all twelve keys — here are the chords for each.

i - v - iv - V in natural keys
KeyivivV
AmAmEmDmE
BmBmF#mEmF#
CmCmGmFmG
DmDmAmGmA
EmEmBmAmB
FmFmCmBbmC
GmGmDmCmD
Show all 12 keys
i - v - iv - V in enharmonic keys
KeyivivV
A#m/BbmBbmA#mFmEbmD#mF
C#m/DbmC#mDbmG#mAbmF#mGbmG#Ab
D#m/EbmEbmD#mBbmA#mAbmG#mBbA#
F#m/GbmF#mGbmC#mDbmBmC#Db
G#m/AbmAbmG#mEbmD#mDbmC#mEbD#

Songs that use this progression

  • Modal jazz progressions

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