i–VII–VI–V in E Minor — Chords & Free MIDI

i–VII–VI–V is the Andalusian cadence heard in flamenco and rock. Written out in E Minor — 1 sharp (F#) — it becomes Em – D – C – Bm. The numerals are what stays the same from key to key: i–VII–VI–V is the same set of relationships whether it lands on Em or on any of the other eleven keys, which is why songwriters think in numerals and only pick a key afterwards.

i–VII–VI–V in E Minor, chord by chord

The same progression, related keys

Numerals travel: i–VII–VI–V is the same set of relationships in any key, so if E Minor sits wrong for a singer, move it and the shape survives.

• G Major scale — relative major — the same seven notes, resolving to a different home
• E Major scale — parallel major — the same tonic, a different third

How it works

Pick a key, a scale, and one of the classic progressions, and this tool writes the chords into a MIDI file you can drop straight onto an instrument track in any DAW. Each roman numeral is voiced as a triad built from the scale — enable 7th chords for a jazzier sound, or arpeggiate to spread each chord into eighth notes. Press play preview to hear the progression before downloading. Here the tool arrives preset to i–VII–VI–V in E Minor, so the file you download voices Em – D – C – Bm exactly as shown above.

Popular progressions included

• I – V – vi – IV — the "four chords" behind countless pop hits.
• ii – V – I — the fundamental jazz turnaround.
• The 12-bar blues — the backbone of blues, rock and roll, and early jazz.
• The Andalusian cadence, the 50s doo-wop changes, the J-pop royal road, and more.

Because every progression is spelled from the key you choose, moving i–VII–VI–V out of E Minor is one dropdown away — but in E Minor itself you get Em, D, C, Bm, chords that sit comfortably under most vocal ranges and lead instruments.

Progressions are a starting point — if you want full arrangements with melodies, basslines, and drums written around Em – D – C – Bm, open the MIDI Maker studio and generate a complete track.

i–VII–VI–V in every key

• i–VII–VI–V in C Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in Db Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in D Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in Eb Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in F Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in Gb Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in G Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in Ab Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in A Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in Bb Minor
• i–VII–VI–V in B Minor

More progressions in E Minor

• I–V–vi–IV in E Major
• vi–IV–I–V in E Major
• I–IV–V–IV in E Major
• I–vi–IV–V in E Major
• ii–V–I in E Major
• I–vi–ii–V in E Major
• i–VI–III–VII in E Minor
• i–iv–VII–III in E Minor
• I–V–IV–IV in E Major
• IV–V–iii–vi in E Major
• 12-Bar Blues in E Major

Or head back to the chord progression tool to build any combination yourself.

Keep building: scales, drums and more

• E Minor scale MIDI
• E Minor Pentatonic scale MIDI
• House drum MIDI
• Techno drum MIDI
• Boom Bap Hip-Hop drum MIDI
• Trap drum MIDI

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the i–VII–VI–V progression in E Minor?

In E Minor, i–VII–VI–V is Em – D – C – Bm. Those are built from the e minor scale — E, F#, G, A, B, C, D — stacking thirds on each numeral's degree.

What notes make up each chord?

Em is E, G, B; D is D, F#, A; C is C, E, G; Bm is B, D, F#.

Can I get 7th chords or arpeggios instead of block triads?

Yes — enable "7th chords" to stack a diatonic seventh on every chord, or "Arpeggiate" to spread each chord into eighth notes before downloading.

Is this chord progression MIDI free for commercial use?

Yes — the download is free, requires no sign-up, and chord progressions themselves are not copyrightable, so you can use the MIDI in any personal or commercial production.