PROGRESSION · i–IV
The Dorian Vamp
Two chords, one of which should not be there. A minor tonic with a major IV is the sound of Dorian. Also called the modal two chord vamp, or the Dorian i–IV.
In D minor
Dm – G — cool, grooving, suspended between major and minor, around 104 BPM.
Why it works
In natural minor the fourth degree carries a minor triad. Raising the sixth degree of the scale turns it major, and that raised sixth is the single note that separates Dorian from Aeolian. Alternating i and IV puts the note directly in the listener's ear every two bars, which is why this vamp identifies the mode so quickly with so little material.
Where you'll hear it
Funk, modal jazz, and a great deal of film scoring. With only two chords the groove and the melody carry the piece, so it rewards a strong bass line.
i–IV in every key
The same progression transposed. The roman numerals never change — that is the whole point of writing progressions this way.
| Key | i | IV |
|---|---|---|
| C | Cm | F |
| Db | Dbm | Gb |
| D | Dm | G |
| Eb | Ebm | Ab |
| E | Em | A |
| F | Fm | Bb |
| F# | F#m | B |
| G | Gm | C |
| Ab | Abm | Db |
| A | Am | D |
| Bb | Bbm | Eb |
| B | Bm | E |
Related progressions
Drill the chords behind i–IV
Build every chord in this progression from its symbol, against the clock.
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