I i Chord Progression
In the key of C minor the I-i progression is C Cm. In the Nashville Number System it is written 1 1m.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: C.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Modal mixture in its simplest form: the third of the tonic drops by a half step, E to Eb, so the mood turns from major to minor with no change of root. It is the parallel major and minor set side by side.
How to use it
This is one of the easiest chord progressions out there along with the I-IV and I-V. This is known as the parallel minor or major depending on which way you are moving. Sometimes songs will start one part in the major and the next section in the minor.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronicity II | The Police | verse to chorus | verse A C#m G, chorus Am F G | A major |
| Talk | Two Door Cinema Club | verse | F# F#m9 | F# major |
| Nice To Meet Ya | Niall Horan | intro and verse | E Em/G C A | E major |
| Liar Liar | The Castaways | verse | C Cm7 Gm F | C major |
I i Chord Progression: 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
- I-III-vi-IV: C E Am F
- Subtonic shuttle: C Bb
- I-IV-iv: C F Fm
- I-II-ii: C D Dm
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 I-i progression in each key?
In C minor: C Cm. In G minor: G Gm. In D minor: D Dm. In A minor: A Am. In E minor: E Em.
Which songs use the I-i progression?
Songs that use it include Synchronicity II by The Police, Talk by Two Door Cinema Club, Nice To Meet Ya by Niall Horan.
