i-VII-VI-V (Andalusian Cadence)
Why do certain songs give you chills? There are 4 chords behind that effect
i-bVII-bVI-V7 is the Andalusian cadence. The most dramatic chromatic descent in Western music. Stairway to Heaven, The Sound of Silence, classical flamenco — all use this tension map.
ibVIIbVIV7
Complete guide
Level: Intermediate Styles: Latin
🎵 The Andalusian Cadence
It is the most famous chord sequence in Spanish and Latin music. It feels like "walking down stairs" with lots of drama and passion.
The secret: It is a bass line that descends step by step (whole, whole, half step) until it hits a wall of tension (the V7).
🎹 In A Minor (the queen key for this)
- Am (i): A - C - E
- G (VII): G - B - D
- F (VI): F - A - C
- E7 (V7): E - G# - B - D
Notice that we end on E major (or E7) even though we are in A minor. That G# (the major third of E) is what gives the "Spanish" character and creates the irresistible tension to return to Am.