Minor i-iv-V Chord Progression
The Minor i-iv-V is the chord progression i-iv-V. In the key of C minor it is Cm Fm G, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 4m 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 minor version of the three primary chords: tonic, subdominant, then a dominant whose third is raised to give a leading tone back to i. That single raised note comes from the harmonic minor scale and makes the return feel much stronger than the i-iv-v of natural minor. The sound is dark but decisive.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bad guy | Billie Eilish | verse and chorus | Gm Cm D7 | G minor |
| bury a friend | Billie Eilish | chorus | Gm Cm D | G minor |
| Never There | Cake | chorus | Em Am B/D# | E minor |
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.
Longer progressions that contain it
- Picardy third ending: Cm Fm G C
More progressions like this one
- Minor i-iv-i-V shuttle: Cm Fm Cm G
- Minor i-bVI-V: Cm Ab G
- Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI: Cm Eb Bb Ab
- Aeolian shuttle: Cm Bb 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-V in each key?
In C minor: Cm Fm G. In G minor: Gm Cm D. In D minor: Dm Gm A. In A minor: Am Dm E. In E minor: Em Am B.
Which songs use the Minor i-iv-V?
Songs that use it include bad guy by Billie Eilish, bury a friend by Billie Eilish, Never There by Cake.
