Chord progression · A minor

The Andalusian cadence (i–VII–VI–V) in A minor

Four chords stepping down from the minor tonic, ending on a major V. It has a Spanish, flamenco flavor and shows up across pop, rock and surf music.

Heard in “Hit the Road Jack” – Ray Charles, “Runaway” – Del Shannon and many more.

Chords in A minor
Am→G→F→E
Numerals
iVIIVIV

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1Ami
2GVII
3FVI
4EV

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

i Am
×A2E3A1CE
1ACEA
ACEA C E
VII G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
GBC4DG B D
VI F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
FACF A C
V E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
EBC4G♯E G♯ B

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.