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 C#m – A – E – B.

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	C#m	`x42120`
VI	A	`x02220`
III	E	`022100`
VII	B	`x21402`

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#, E, F#, G#, A, B. 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?

C#m – A – E – B.

What notes are in C# minor?

C# minor contains C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B.

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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