Chord progression · C♯ minor

The Andalusian cadence (i–VII–VI–V) in C♯ 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 C♯ minor
C♯m→B→A→G♯
Numerals
iVIIVIV

Play along

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

1C♯mi
2BVII
3AVI
4G♯V

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

The chords

i C♯m
×4C♯2E1G♯3C♯E
1G♯2C♯E4C♯
C4EC♯G♯C♯ E G♯
VII B
×1B2F♯3B4D♯1F♯
3B2D♯1F♯1B
BC4D♯F♯B D♯ F♯
VI A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
AC4EC♯A C♯ E
V G♯
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯2B♯1D♯1G♯
1G♯2D♯4G♯3B♯
B♯G♯D♯G♯ B♯ D♯

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.