Chord progression · C minor

The minor cadence (i–iv–V–i) in C minor

The minor-key version of I–IV–V. The V chord is major (borrowed from the harmonic minor scale), which gives a strong pull back home.

Chords in C minor
Cm→Fm→G→Cm
Numerals
iivVi

Play along

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

1Cmi
2Fmiv
3GV
4Cmi

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

The chords

i Cm
×3C1E♭G2C4G
G1E♭1G1C
CGE♭C E♭ G
iv Fm
1F3C4F1A♭1C1F
1A♭C2F3C
CFA♭Fm/C
V G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
BC4DGG/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.