Andalusian cadence

The Andalusian cadence (diatonic phrygian tetrachord) is a term adopted from flamenco music for a chord progression comprising four chords descending stepwise—a vi–V–IV–III progression with respect to the major mode or i–VII–VI–V progression with respect to the minor mode. It is otherwise known as the minor descending tetrachord. Traceable back to the Renaissance, its effective sonorities made it one of the most popular progressions in classical music  Play .

Despite the name it is not a true cadence (i.e., occurring only once, when ending a phrase, section, or piece of music); it is most often used as an ostinato (repeating over and over again). It is heard in rock songs such as "Runaway" by Del Shannon.

The Andalusian cadence may be notated vi – V – IV – III with respect to a major key; i – VII – VI – V with respect to a natural or melodic minor key, the two being identical in descent; or i – ♭VII – VI – V with respect to a harmonic minor key, in which the reversal of the raising of the subtonic (VII) to a leading tone (which would be noted in non-harmonic minor keys as ♯VII) must be noted. In the third degree of the final chord (III or V, depending on key signature), the subtonic is sharpened by a semitone into a leading note in order to lead back into the minor chord that begins the sequence.

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