Chord progression · F♯ minor

The Andalusian cadence (i–VII–VI–V) in F♯ 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 F♯ minor
F♯m→E→D→C♯
Numerals
iVIIVIV

Play along

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

1F♯mi
2EVII
3DVI
4C♯V

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

The chords

i F♯m
1F♯3C♯4F♯1A1C♯1F♯
2A1C♯3F♯A
C4AC5F♯C♯F♯ A C♯
VII E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
C4EBC5G♯E G♯ B
VI D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
C4DAC5F♯D F♯ A
V C♯
4fr×1C♯2G♯3C♯4E♯1G♯
1G♯2C♯3E♯4C♯
C4E♯C5C♯G♯C♯ E♯ G♯

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.