Minor i-iv Vamp
The Minor i-iv vamp is the chord progression i-iv. In the key of C minor it is Cm Fm, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 4m.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Two minor chords a fourth apart, the minor version of the I-IV vamp. The iv brings in the flat sixth of natural minor, which is the note that separates this sound from Dorian i-IV. It is a soulful, relaxed loop, common in R&B.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return of the Mack | Mark Morrison | verse | Am7 Dm7 | A minor |
| Take Me to Church | Hozier | verse | Em Am | E minor |
| 24K Magic | Bruno Mars | chorus | Fm7 Bbm7 | F minor |
Minor i-iv Vamp: 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 tonic-dominant vamp: Cm G
- House of the Rising Sun progression: Cm Eb F Ab
- Hotel California progression: Cm G Bb F Ab Eb Fm G
- Minor line cliche: Cm Cm/B Cm7/Bb Cm6/A
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 vamp in each key?
In C minor: Cm Fm. In G minor: Gm Cm. In D minor: Dm Gm. In A minor: Am Dm. In E minor: Em Am.
Which songs use the Minor i-iv vamp?
Songs that use it include Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison, Take Me to Church by Hozier, 24K Magic by Bruno Mars.
