Harmonic Minor Cadential Progression (i-iv-V)

i-iv-V

progression

At a Glance

Formula:
i-iv-V

Illustrated in A minor.

Diagram type

i – iv – V

i: Am×231
iv: Dm××231
V: E231

What It Is

Tonic, subdominant, dominant - the same shape as the major-key primary progression, but the dominant is built from harmonic minor's raised 7th, giving it a major quality and a strong pull back to the minor tonic.

How It Functions

The standard minor-key cadential motion; the raised leading tone in the V chord creates the same strong dominant-to-tonic pull that defines cadences in major.

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