Classical · Intermediate · minor key

Picardy third (i–iv–V–I)

i – iv – V – I — A minor progression that ends on a surprise major chord — like the sun coming out.

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 – A. 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.
• I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.

Picardy third (i–iv–V–I) in all 12 keys

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
• Minor with major V (i–iv–V–i) i – iv – V – i
• i–ii°–V–i (classical minor) i – ii° – V – i
• La Folia i – V – i – ♭VII – ♭III – ♭VII – i – V
• Descending lament (i–♭VII–♭VI–V) i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V7
• Minor blues i7 – i7 – i7 – i7 – iv7 – iv7 – i7 – i7 – ♭VI7 – V7 – i7 – V7

← Romanesca · Epic minor (i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII) →

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