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Canonical guitar progression

Andalusian Cadence Guitar Chord Progression

The Andalusian cadence descends i-bVII-bVI-V in a minor key. On guitar it sounds dramatic because the bass walks downward while the V chord pulls sharply back to i. Players use it for flamenco-flavored writing, classical minor movement, metal riffs, and tense acoustic progressions.

  • dramatic, descending, tense
  • chords by key
  • voicing options
  • practice drills
Open this four-chord progression in StrumForge
StrumForge guitar chord progression generator with playable chord diagrams
Use the tables below to transpose the formula before opening a playable loop.

Andalusian Cadence at a glance

Use this summary to hear the formula, pick a guitar-friendly key, and open the G version as a four-chord StrumForge loop.

Chord formula

i-bVII-bVI-V

Try it in C

Am-G-F-E

Try it in G

Em-D-C-B

Where it fits

Flamenco, classical, metal, cinematic, folk

Playing level

Intermediate

StrumForge workflow

Open the G version (Em-D-C-B) directly in StrumForge, then compare the same formula in C (Am-G-F-E).

Chords by key

Use these keys as practical guitar starting points. Minor-key rows show the same sound from a minor center where appropriate.

KeyibVIIbVIV
C MajorCmBbAbG
G MajorGmFEbD
D MajorDmCBbA
A MajorAmGFE
E MajorEmDCB
F MajorFmEbDbC
A MinorAmGFE
E MinorEmDCB
D MinorDmCBbA

Guitar voicing notes

Open chords usually sound wider and are best for acoustic strumming. Barre chords make the formula movable when the singer needs another key. Capo versions keep familiar C, G, D, A, or E shapes while changing pitch. Beginners should simplify the hardest chord first, often with a partial F, a three-string triad, or a power chord version.

Open chord version

Try Em-D-C-B or Am-G-F-E first if the chords sit well under your fingers.

Barre chord version

Use E-shape and A-shape barre chords when you need the same formula in keys that are not open-chord friendly.

Capo-friendly version

Move the capo until the open-shape version supports the vocal range, then keep the same relative chord movement.

Beginner simplification

Play the top three or four strings of difficult chords and keep the strum hand in time before adding full grips.

Practice this progression

Start at 60-92 bpm and make the bVI to V change clean; in A minor that usually means F to E.

  1. Slow strumming drillUse one bar per chord with downstrokes only. Count out loud until the changes land on beat one.
  2. Chord transition drillLoop only the two hardest chords for one minute, then return to the full progression.
  3. Groove suggestionTry down, down-up, up-down-up for pop and folk, or palm-muted eighth notes for rock and punk versions.
  4. Tempo rangeStart at 60-92 bpm and make the bVI to V change clean; in A minor that usually means F to E.

Songwriting ideas

Use it for intros, bridges, or verses that need obvious minor gravity. A melody can mirror the descending bass, then lean into the leading tone over V.

For a verse, use a smaller voicing, fewer strums, or a lower register so the melody has room. For a chorus, widen the voicing, move up the neck, or increase the rhythmic density. The mood is dramatic, descending, tense, but rhythm and register can push it brighter or darker.

A strong melody usually targets chord tones at chord changes. Hum one phrase over the first two chords, answer it over the second half, then change only the ending note if the loop feels too predictable.

Open it in StrumForge

Use the generator to hear the loop, change key, compare voicings, and practice with diagrams.

Open this four-chord progression in StrumForge

A Minor Guitar Chord

Use A minor guitar chord shapes in sad, dark, folk, and pop progressions.

G Major Guitar Chord

Review G major guitar chord shapes, open-string options, and related progressions.

F Major Guitar Chord

Practice F major guitar chord options from partial shapes to full barre grips.

E Major Guitar Chord

Use E major as a strong open tonic and movable barre-shape reference.

Chords in C Major for Guitar

See chords in C major for guitar with F-chord workarounds and common loops.

Chords in G Major for Guitar

Use G major open-chord families, diatonic chords, and scale context.

Common Guitar Chord Progressions

Start with dependable I, IV, V, vi, minor, and turnaround loops.

Guitar Chord Progressions

Browse guitar chord progressions by formula, genre, mood, and playing goal.

FAQ

Short answers for players using this page as a practice or writing reference.

What chords are in Andalusian Cadence?

In C, the core chords are Am, G, F, E. In G, they are Em, D, C, B.

Is Andalusian Cadence good for beginners?

It is better after basic open chords because some versions use barre or seventh-chord grips. Slow the hardest transition before adding rhythm.

What key should I play Andalusian Cadence in?

Start in G, C, D, A, or E if you want open guitar shapes. Move the key or add a capo when the vocal range matters more than the original shapes.

What songs use this type of progression?

Many songs use the same harmonic type without copying the same voicings or rhythm. Treat the progression as a shared chord-function pattern, then make the rhythm, melody, and arrangement your own.

How do I make this progression sound more interesting on guitar?

Change one variable at a time: use triads higher on the neck, add sus or seventh colors, change the strum pattern, add a passing bass note, or move the capo to keep open strings ringing.