Dorian i-ii Vamp (i7 ii7)
The Dorian i-ii vamp is the chord progression i7-ii7. In the key of C minor it is Cm7 Dm7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m(7) 2m(7).
Chords from outside the key of C minor: Dm7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Two minor seventh chords a whole step apart. The ii7 contains the raised sixth of Dorian, and in natural minor that chord would be half-diminished, so the major-sixth colour is what makes this vamp work. It sounds cool, floating and unresolved.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paint the Town Red | Doja Cat | chorus | Gm7 Am7 | G minor |
| Moondance | Van Morrison | verse | Am7 Bm7 | A minor |
| Billie Jean | Michael Jackson | intro | F#m G#m/F# F#m7 G#m/F# | F# minor |
Dorian i-ii Vamp: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Phrygian vamp: Cm Db
- Phrygian i-bII-bIII: Cm Db Eb
- Phrygian dominant vamp: C Db
- So What shift: Cm7 Dbm7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Dorian i-ii vamp in each key?
In C minor: Cm7 Dm7. In G minor: Gm7 Am7. In D minor: Dm7 Em7. In A minor: Am7 Bm7. In E minor: Em7 F#m7.
Which songs use the Dorian i-ii vamp?
Songs that use it include Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat, Moondance by Van Morrison, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.
