iv–iv–i–V in A Minor

Pattern: iv – iv – i – V Chords: Dm – Dm – Am – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iv	Dm (details)	minor	Subdominant
iv	Dm (details)	minor	Subdominant
i	Am (details)	minor	Tonic
V	E (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Dm (Subdominant) → Dm (Subdominant) → Am (Tonic) → E (Dominant).

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.

Song Examples

Since I've Been Loving You — Led Zeppelin
Ain't No Sunshine — Bill Withers

Chord Details

Dm Am E

More Progressions in A Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI i–♭III–♭VII–IV