Piano · Level 4 · Beginner

The Andalusian cadence on Piano

i–♭VII–♭VI–V in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

This descending four-chord pattern comes from flamenco and turns up in rock and film music. Its bass walks steadily down to a major V chord.

Choose a key

C minorCm · B♭ · A♭ · GC♯ minorC♯m · B · A · G♯D minorDm · C · B♭ · AE♭ minorE♭m · D♭ · B · B♭E minorEm · D · C · BF minorFm · E♭ · D♭ · CF♯ minorF♯m · E · D · C♯G minorGm · F · E♭ · DG♯ minorG♯m · F♯ · E · D♯A minorAm · G · F · EB♭ minorB♭m · A♭ · G♭ · FB minorBm · A · G · F♯

Listen first: C minor

Cm

C minor

Notes: C · E♭ · G

Left hand: C2
♭

B♭

B♭ major

Notes: B♭ · D · F

Left hand: B♭2
♭

A♭

A♭ major

Notes: A♭ · C · E♭

Left hand: A♭2
♭♭

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

Left hand: G2
1
Cm
2
B♭
3
A♭
4
G

Why it works

The major V borrows a raised seventh from the harmonic minor scale, giving the strong leading tone.

On another instrument

The Andalusian cadence on Guitar →The Andalusian cadence on Ukulele →The Andalusian cadence on Mandolin →The Andalusian cadence on Banjo →The Andalusian cadence on Violin →The Andalusian cadence on Flute →

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