vi–V–IV–III

A descending tetrachord progression rooted in the Phrygian mode, often called the Andalusian cadence. Its characteristic stepwise bass descent from the tonic of the relative minor creates a dramatic, Spanish-inflected sound used across Baroque and Classical traditions.

Pattern: vi – V – IV – III   Example in A Minor: F♯m – E – D – C♯

Genre: classical   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples