Minor i-bIII-IV Chord Progression
The Minor i-bIII-IV is the chord progression i-bIII-IV. In the key of C minor it is Cm Eb F, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m b3 4.
It is also known as Dorian i-bIII-IV.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: F.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The three roots are the root, flat third and fourth of the minor pentatonic scale, so this is as much a blues riff as a mode. The major IV adds a Dorian flavour. It differs from I-bIII-IV in the 52 by its minor tonic, and it uses the same chords as ii-IV-V but feels different because i is home.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Onions | Booker T. & the M.G.'s | main riff | F5 Ab Bb | F minor |
| Telephone | Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce | verse and chorus | Fm Ab Bb | F minor |
Minor i-bIII-IV 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.
Longer progressions that contain it
- House of the Rising Sun progression: Cm Eb F Ab
More progressions like this one
- Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV: Cm Eb Bb F
- Dorian i-ii vamp: Cm7 Dm7
- Phrygian vamp: Cm Db
- Phrygian i-bII-bIII: Cm Db Eb
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 Minor i-bIII-IV in each key?
In C minor: Cm Eb F. In G minor: Gm Bb C. In D minor: Dm F G. In A minor: Am C D. In E minor: Em G A.
Which songs use the Minor i-bIII-IV?
Songs that use it include Green Onions by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Telephone by Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce.
