iv–iv–i–V

Opening with two bars of the minor subdominant creates heavy, weighty tension before resolving to the minor tonic and dominant. This inversion of the typical blues opening gives it a unique, moody character.

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

Genre: blues   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples