Minor cadence (i–iv–V–i) (i – iv – V – i)

Minor subdominant and major dominant: the leading tone in the major V pulls hard back to the minor tonic.

In A minor

Open in the generator (rhythm, transpose, MIDI) →

In all 12 keys

Mode: minor (natural). The capo column shows the fret where most chords become easy open shapes.

Key	Chords	Capo
C minor	Cm – Fm – G – Cm	3.
C♯ minor	C♯m – F♯m – G♯ – C♯m	4.
D minor	Dm – Gm – A – Dm	5.
E♭ minor	E♭m – A♭m – B♭ – E♭m	6.
E minor	Em – Am – B – Em	7.
F minor	Fm – B♭m – C – Fm	1.
F♯ minor	F♯m – Bm – C♯ – F♯m	2.
G minor	Gm – Cm – D – Gm	3.
G♯ minor	G♯m – C♯m – D♯ – G♯m	4.
A minor	Am – Dm – E – Am	–
B♭ minor	B♭m – E♭m – F – B♭m	1.
B minor	Bm – Em – F♯ – Bm	2.

Similar progressions

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of the Minor cadence (i–iv–V–i) in A minor?

Am – Dm – E – Am (i – iv – V – i).

Which key is easiest on guitar?

With only open chords and no capo: A minor. For other keys, the capo column in the table shows where to clamp it.

What do the Roman numerals mean?

The degrees of the key: I = tonic (1st degree), IV = 4th, V = 5th. Upper case is a major chord, lower case minor; ° means diminished, ø half-diminished and ♭ a lowered degree. That's what lets you move the progression to any key.

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