i iv v Chord Progression
In the key of C minor the i-iv-v progression is Cm Fm Gm. In the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 4m 5m.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The three primary triads of natural minor. The v is minor, so there is no leading tone and the sound is modal and soft rather than classical. Change it to a major V and you get the harmonic minor version.
How to use it
Just as the I-IV-V is very popular in blues and rock, songwriters occasionally like to switch the major to minor. And just like in other genres the i-iv-v can be used in a variety of orders, and using the same substitutions and extensions.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | Craig David | verse and chorus | Dm Gm Am with capo 2, sounding Em Am Bm | E minor |
| If You Had My Love | Jennifer Lopez | chorus | Bm Em F#m | B minor |
| Harleys in Hawaii | Katy Perry | verse and chorus | Bbm Ebm Fm (i iv v) | Bb minor |
| Melt My Heart to Stone | Adele | chorus | Bm Em F#m (i iv v) | B minor |
i iv v 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-bIII-iv-v: Cm Eb Fm Gm
- i-bVII-v-bVI: Cm Bb Gm Ab
- i-bIII-bVI-V: Cm Eb Ab G
- i-bVI-bVII: Cm Ab Bb
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-iv-v progression in each key?
In C minor: Cm Fm Gm. In G minor: Gm Cm Dm. In D minor: Dm Gm Am. In A minor: Am Dm Em. In E minor: Em Am Bm.
Which songs use the i-iv-v progression?
Songs that use it include 7 Days by Craig David, If You Had My Love by Jennifer Lopez, Harleys in Hawaii by Katy Perry.
