Aeolian vamp: i–VII–VI–VII
A dark, driving minor loop that never quite resolves: Watchtower, Stairway, Rolling in the Deep.
Loads it as a song you can change, extend and write lyrics to. Your own song is kept.
Songs you know
Where you’ve heard it
Real recordings that use it, with the chords as they’re played on the record and the easiest way to play along.
All Along the Watchtower
The Jimi Hendrix Experience · 1968VerseAs recorded, in C minorCm – B♭ – A♭ – B♭Easier: capo 3, play A minor shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Stairway to Heaven
Led Zeppelin · 1971OutroAs recorded, in A minorAm – G – F – GOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Rolling in the Deep
Adele · 2010ChorusAs recorded, in C minorCm – B♭ – A♭ – B♭Easier: capo 3, play A minor shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Lose Yourself
Eminem · 2002ChorusAs recorded, in D minorDm – B♭ – COpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Dreams
Fleetwood Mac · 1977VerseAs recorded, in A minorF – GOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →
Why it works
Why it feels like this
Unlike the Andalusian cadence it never reaches a major V, so there’s no leading tone pulling home. The VII and VI just rock back and forth around the minor tonic, which keeps the tension simmering for as long as you want.
- Em → DRise upIn the key
Em and D share no notes, so the move sounds like a bold jump.
- D → CDescendIn the key
D and C share no notes, so the move sounds like a bold jump.
- C → DEpic climbIn the key
Two major chords climb a whole step toward home: the epic minor-key lift.
- D → EmStoic returnHome
A whole step up into the minor home, with no leading tone. Steady and stoic.
Make it yours
Same idea, your song
The fastest way not to sound like everyone else: change one thing. Each idea opens in the Chord Map, ready to play.
On the guitar
In five guitar keys
The keys a guitar likes best. Pick the one that suits your voice, or put on a capo.
In A minor
Open in the Chord Map →In E minor
Open in the Chord Map →In D minor
Open in the Chord Map →In B minor
Open in the Chord Map →In F♯ minor
Open in the Chord Map →
Questions
Questions about Aeolian vamp
Quick answers about temperaments, instruments, accuracy, and what actually runs on your Mac.
What are the All Along the Watchtower chords?
Hendrix’s version sounds in C minor: Cm–B♭–A♭–B♭. On guitar, capo 3 and play Am–G–F–G.What does Aeolian mean?
Aeolian is the natural minor scale. Its VI and VII chords give minor rock its sound.How is it different from the Andalusian cadence?
Andalusian ends on a major V and pulls home; this vamp turns around on the VII and keeps circling.
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