i–iv–i–V

This minor blues cycle uses a minor tonic and subdominant with a major dominant for a dark, brooding feel. The major V chord at the end provides the pull back to the tonic, creating dramatic tension.

Pattern: i – iv – i – V   Example in A Minor: Am – Dm – Am – E

Genre: blues   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

A Minor Am – Dm – Am – E E Minor Em – Am – Em – B B Minor Bm – Em – Bm – F♯ F♯ Minor F♯m – Bm – F♯m – C♯ C♯ Minor C♯m – F♯m – C♯m – G♯ G♯ Minor G♯m – C♯m – G♯m – D♯ D Minor Dm – Gm – Dm – A G Minor Gm – Cm – Gm – D C Minor Cm – Fm – Cm – G F Minor Fm – Bbm – Fm – C B♭ Minor Bbm – Ebm – Bbm – F E♭ Minor Ebm – Abm – Ebm – B♭

Song Examples