iv–iv–i–V in E Minor

Pattern: iv – iv – i – V Chords: Am – Am – Em – B

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Am (Subdominant) → Am (Subdominant) → Em (Tonic) → B (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

Am Em B

More Progressions in E 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