Minor Tonic-Dominant Vamp (i V)
The Minor tonic-dominant vamp is the chord progression i-V. In the key of C minor it is Cm G, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m 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
Just tonic and dominant, with the raised third of V from harmonic minor giving a leading tone. Each V sets up a resolution and each i delivers it, so the groove has constant small tension and release. It sounds insistent and slightly dramatic.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Prerogative | Bobby Brown | verse and chorus | Am E7 | A minor |
| Natural | Imagine Dragons | verse and chorus | Dm A7 | D minor |
| Worth It | Fifth Harmony | chorus | Cm G7 | C minor |
| Therefore I Am | Billie Eilish | chorus | Dm A | D minor |
Minor Tonic-Dominant 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
- 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
- Chromatic lament bass: Cm G/B Cm/Bb F/A Ab G
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 tonic-dominant vamp in each key?
In C minor: Cm G. In G minor: Gm D. In D minor: Dm A. In A minor: Am E. In E minor: Em B.
Which songs use the Minor tonic-dominant vamp?
Songs that use it include My Prerogative by Bobby Brown, Natural by Imagine Dragons, Worth It by Fifth Harmony.
