Minor i-iv-bVI-V Chord Progression
The Minor i-iv-bVI-V is the chord progression i-iv-bVI-V. In the key of C minor it is Cm Fm Ab G, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 4m b6 5.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: G.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The bass climbs from iv through bVI, then the bVI slips down a half step to a dominant that has the raised leading tone from harmonic minor. That ending gives a strong pull back to i, so the loop has more drive than the all-natural-minor shapes. The mood is dramatic and slightly old-fashioned.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back to Black | Amy Winehouse | chorus | Dm Gm Bb A | D minor |
| Sucker for Pain | Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons | chorus | Am Dm F E | A minor |
| Born to Make You Happy | Britney Spears | verse | Bm Em G F# | B minor |
Minor i-iv-bVI-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
- Minor i-iv-bIII-bVI: Cm Fm Eb Ab
- Minor i-bIII-bVII-iv: Cm Eb Bb Fm
- Minor i-v-iv: Cm Gm Fm
- Minor i-v-bVI-bVII: Cm Gm 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 Minor i-iv-bVI-V in each key?
In C minor: Cm Fm Ab G. In G minor: Gm Cm Eb D. In D minor: Dm Gm Bb A. In A minor: Am Dm F E. In E minor: Em Am C B.
Which songs use the Minor i-iv-bVI-V?
Songs that use it include Back to Black by Amy Winehouse, Sucker for Pain by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons, Born to Make You Happy by Britney Spears.
