Flamenco Andalusian cadence progression on guitar
What is the Flamenco Andalusian cadence progression?
The Flamenco Andalusian cadence progression is Am, G, F and E (i–bVII–bVI–V), in the key of A minor. Read as harmonic function it moves tonic → dominant → subdominant → dominant, arriving home on a cadence. Play one chord per bar and let it loop.
Good music works like a good walk: you leave, get a little lost on purpose, and come back. The map of this one: Am (i, home) → G (bVII, time to come back) → F (bVI, the stroll) → E (V, time to come back). Press play and follow along — at the "time to come back" chord, notice the physical urge to hear Am again — the home chord.
Guitar
On the acoustic guitar you hold the whole song in your hands: the low sixth string lays down a bass note while the higher strings build the chord above it. The guitar is right at home in bolero, flamenco and rumba; in salsa and tango it plays a smaller part, since those lean on piano, brass or the accordion-like bandoneón. Its home chord Am keeps its lowest note on A and rings 2 open strings.
Cadences: Harmony comes to rest here: hear cadences on the neck, 9 free and another one each week · see it in Chord and Fret
Save this progression in Chord and FretReharmonize: Want richer substitutions? Reharmonize's Subtle and Medium levels are free; Bold and Jazz are part of Pro · open in Chord and Fret
Learn each chord of the trip
This is one shape of Am. In the app, every chord in this progression comes with its other shapes and audio, free. Open in Chord and Fret →
Metronome: Drill this change in time, with tap tempo and subdivisions · use it in Chord and Fret