i–♭VII–♭VI–V chord progression
Andalusian cadence — i–♭VII–♭VI–V · also called the flamenco progression, Phrygian descent
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4.7 · 6 ratingsi–♭VII–♭VI–V chord progression — how it works
The i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression walks the bass down four steps from the tonic to the dominant, and the final major V (borrowed from harmonic minor) gives it the Spanish, flamenco bite that has run from baroque laments to surf rock.
It moves from the tonic (i) to the flat seventh (subtonic) (♭VII) to the flat sixth (♭VI) to the dominant (V) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.
In A minor the chords are Am – G – F – E; in E minor they are Em – D – C – B. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
i–♭VII–♭VI–V in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C minor | Cm – B♭ – A♭ – G |
| C♯ minor | C♯m – B – A – G♯ |
| D minor | Dm – C – B♭ – A |
| D♯ minor | D♯m – C♯ – B – A♯ |
| E minor | Em – D – C – B |
| F minor | Fm – E♭ – D♭ – C |
| F♯ minor | F♯m – E – D – C♯ |
| G minor | Gm – F – E♭ – D |
| G♯ minor | G♯m – F♯ – E – D♯ |
| A minor | Am – G – F – E |
| B♭ minor | B♭m – A♭ – G♭ – F |
| B minor | Bm – A – G – F♯ |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Hit the Road Jack — Ray Charles
- Sultans of Swing — Dire Straits
- Runaway — Del Shannon
See scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
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クラシック～ジャズまでキーをC（ハ長調・ハ短調）でいくつものパターンを見聞きしましたが、とても分かり易くて良かった。
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression in A minor?
- In A minor the i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression is Am – G – F – E. The same numerals give Em – D – C – B in E minor; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression called?
- i–♭VII–♭VI–V is known as the Andalusian cadence, and also as the flamenco progression and Phrygian descent. The i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression walks the bass down four steps from the tonic to the dominant, and the final major V (borrowed from harmonic minor) gives it the Spanish, flamenco bite that has run from baroque laments to surf rock.
- How long is the i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the i–♭VII–♭VI–V progression?
- "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles, "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits and "Runaway" by Del Shannon are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.