C minor · i – VI – III – VII

i-VI-III-VII Chord Progression in C minor

In C minor the i-VI-III-VII progression is Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb.

A powerful minor-key progression that moves through the major chords of the relative major key. Zombie by The Cranberries follows this pattern.

The chords

Numeral	Chord	Easiest shape
i	Cm	`x3101x`
VI	Ab	`43111x`
III	Eb	`x65046`
VII	Bb	`x10331`

How to practise

Use power chords for a rock sound or open chords for a folk sound.

Play one chord per bar at 60 BPM with a simple down-strum on each beat.
Raise the tempo by 5 BPM once you can play eight rounds without a mistake.
Change the strumming pattern: down, down-up, up-down-up.

Key facts about C minor

C minor contains the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb. See the full C Natural Minor scale with fretboard diagrams, and use it to solo over the progression.

i-VI-III-VII in other keys

A minor Bb minor B minor C# minor D minor D# minor E minor F minor F# minor G minor G# minor

Other progressions in C minor

Andalusian Cadence (i-VII-VI-V)i-iv-v (minor blues)i-VI-VII

FAQ

What are the chords of i-VI-III-VII in C minor?

Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb.

What notes are in C minor?

C minor contains C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb.

Which scale can I solo with over i-VI-III-VII in C minor?

The C minor scale fits, and the minor pentatonic scale from C is the easiest choice.

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