Chord progressions · Andalusian cadence
Andalusian cadence in every key
The Andalusian A chord move that ends a phrase, like a punctuation mark. V to I is the strongest, a full stop. is i–VII–VI–V. In A minor that is Am, G, F and E.
Play it
Hear it in any key
A stepwise walk down to a major V borrowed from The natural minor scale with its 7th raised a half step, which makes the V chord major and gives it a strong pull home.. Flamenco's signature move.
i is home, VII adds tension, VI moves away and V pulls back home. Pick a key and press play; the A chord written by its place in the key: upper case for major (IV), lower case for minor (vi), ° for diminished. stay the same while the chords move.
Andalusian cadence in A minor
i – VII – VI – V
- Am
- G
- F
- E
A stepwise walk down to a major V borrowed from harmonic minor. Flamenco's signature move.
Heard in Hit the Road Jack, Runaway, Stray Cat Strut
Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work
Every key
Andalusian cadence in all 12 minor keys
Each row is the same progression. Tap a chord to learn its shapes, or a key to hear all of its chords.
Questions
Andalusian cadence, in short
- What is the Andalusian cadence?
- The Andalusian A chord move that ends a phrase, like a punctuation mark. V to I is the strongest, a full stop. is i–VII–VI–V. In A minor that is Am, G, F and E. A stepwise walk down to a major V borrowed from The natural minor scale with its 7th raised a half step, which makes the V chord major and gives it a strong pull home.. Flamenco's signature move.
- What are the chords of the Andalusian cadence in A minor?
- Am, G, F and E. i is home, VII adds tension, VI moves away and V pulls back home.
- What songs use the Andalusian cadence?
- You can hear it in Hit the Road Jack, Runaway and Stray Cat Strut, among many others.