All progressions
INTERMEDIO_BAJO

i-iv-V (Latin Rock Minor)

Oye Como Va. Black Magic Woman. Evil Ways. All of them share the same rhythmic map

i-iv-V with a Tumbao pattern. A minor progression plus a syncopated rhythm is the Santana sound. The tumbao anticipates the beat — play before the chord and everything changes.

iivV7i
Train interactively →

Complete guide

Level: Elementary Styles: Latin

🎵 Minor and Danceable

It is the darker cousin of the rock progression I-IV-V. When played in minor mode, it takes on a mysterious but extremely danceable character. It is the foundation of much of Carlos Santana's repertoire.

🎹 In A Minor

  1. Am (i)
  2. Dm (iv)
  3. E7 (V7)
  4. Am (i)

🎹 The Montuno (Latin Piano)

In Latin piano, it is not only the chords that matter, but the rhythm. Salsa pianists use Montunos: repetitive arpeggiated patterns that act as percussion and harmony at the same time.

Try playing the chords on the off-beats (the "ands"): 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and