Chord progression · D minor

The Andalusian cadence (i–VII–VI–V) in D 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 D minor
Dm→C→B♭→A
Numerals
iVIIVIV

Play along

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

1Dmi
2CVII
3B♭VI
4AV

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

The chords

i Dm
××D2A3D1F
2A3D1FA
C4DFAD F A
VII C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
CEGC E G
VI B♭
×1B♭2F3B♭4D1F
3B♭2D1F1B♭
C4DFB♭B♭ D F
V A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
AC4EC♯A C♯ E

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.