i - VII - VI - V Chord Progression

Andalusian cadence. Descending bass line with dramatic resolution to major V.

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

Chords in the key of Am:

AmGFE

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 (Am): use A 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.

A minor pentatonic, position 1

EADGBe56789
Root notes in blue; other scale tones in dark gray.

Open A 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 - VII - VI - V in natural keys
KeyiVIIVIV
AmAmGFE
BmBmAGF#
CmCmBbAbG
DmDmCBbA
EmEmDCB
FmFmEbDbC
GmGmFEbD
Show all 12 keys
i - VII - VI - V in enharmonic keys
KeyiVIIVIV
A#m/BbmBbmA#mAbG#GbF#F
C#m/DbmC#mDbmBAG#Ab
D#m/EbmEbmD#mDbC#BBbA#
F#m/GbmF#mGbmEDC#Db
G#m/AbmAbmG#mGbF#EEbD#

Songs that use this progression

  • Hit the Road Jack
  • Runaway

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