Chord progression · G♯ minor

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

Play along

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

1G♯mi
2F♯VII
3EVI
4D♯V

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

The chords

i G♯m
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯1B1D♯1G♯
3B2D♯4G♯1B
BC4G♯D♯G♯ B D♯
VII F♯
1F♯3C♯4F♯2A♯1C♯1F♯
4A♯1C♯3F♯2A♯
C4F♯A♯C♯F♯ A♯ C♯
VI E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
EBC4G♯E G♯ B
V D♯
6fr×1D♯2A♯3D♯4F𝄪1A♯
F𝄪3D♯4F𝄪1A♯
F𝄪C4A♯D♯D♯/F𝄪

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.