Classical · Beginner · minor key
Minor with major V (i–iv–V–i)
i – iv – V – i — The major V (from harmonic minor) gives a strong pull back to i.
Chord shapes in A minor (standard tuning)
Using a different tuning? Open it in the Looper — it finds playable shapes for whatever tuning you choose.
How the chords work
Written in Roman numerals, this progression is i – iv – V – i — in A minor that is Am – Dm – E – Am. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- i — the minor home chord.
- iv — the minor four chord: darker and more emotional.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
Minor with major V (i–iv–V–i) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| A minor | AmDmEAm | Looper |
| E minor | EmAmBEm | Looper |
| B minor | BmEmF#Bm | Looper |
| F# minor | F#mBmC#F#m | Looper |
| C# minor | C#mF#mG#C#m | Looper |
| G# minor | G#mC#mD#G#m | Looper |
| Eb minor | EbmAbmBbEbm | Looper |
| Bb minor | BbmEbmFBbm | Looper |
| F minor | FmBbmCFm | Looper |
| C minor | CmFmGCm | Looper |
| G minor | GmCmDGm | Looper |
| D minor | DmGmADm | Looper |
Practice ideas
- Beginners: play one strum per chord and say the chord names out loud, then two strums, then a steady down-down-up-up-down-up pattern.
- Change keys with a capo: keep the A minor shapes and move a capo up — the capo calculator shows which fret gives the key you want.
- Solo over it: loop it in the Looper and improvise with the A minor pentatonic or A natural minor or A blues scale — the scale pages show every position and play a backing track.
- Train your ear: the progression ear trainer mixes this with similar progressions until you can tell them apart.
Similar progressions
- i–iv–i–V i – iv – i – V
- Picardy third (i–iv–V–I) i – iv – V – I
- La Folia i – V – i – ♭VII – ♭III – ♭VII – i – V
- Romanesca ♭III – ♭VII – i – V – ♭III – ♭VII – i – V
- Neapolitan (i–♭II–V–i) i – ♭II – V – i
- Descending lament (i–♭VII–♭VI–V) i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V7
← Minor three-chord (i–iv–v) · i–♭VI–♭VII →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the i – iv – V – i progression?
In A minor: Am – Dm – E – Am. In C major / A minor: Am – Dm – E – Am. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play i – iv – V – i on guitar?
A minor uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.