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Classics

Doo-Wop Minor

C#m · A · E · B

C#m
vi
A
IV
E
I
B
V
Key
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Doo-Wop Minor in E major

Doo-Wop Minor is vi · IV · I · V. In E major that is C#m, A, E, B. The emotional minor doo-wop sound. Earth Angel vibes. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Africa · Toto
  • Despacito · Luis Fonsi
  • Earth Angel · The Penguins

Why it works

In E major this loop is C#m, A, E, B (vi · IV · I · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. vi adds a minor color. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in E major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

C#mAEB

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → Am · F · C · GD major → Bm · G · D · AE major → C#m · A · E · BF major → Dm · Bb · F · CG major → Em · C · G · DA major → F#m · D · A · EB major → G#m · E · B · F#

Related progressions

Happy Days - 50sMotownSoul BalladAndalusian CadenceAndalusian Cadence (Major)

Frequently asked questions

What is the Doo-Wop Minor ukulele chord progression?

Doo-Wop Minor is the vi–IV–I–V chord loop. In E major that is C#m, A, E, and B. The emotional minor doo-wop sound. Earth Angel vibes.

What do the roman numerals mean in Doo-Wop Minor?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Doo-Wop Minor uses vi–IV–I–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In E major you play C#m, A, E, B.

How do you practice Doo-Wop Minor on ukulele?

Loop C#m, A, E, and B. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Doo-Wop Minor progression?

Songs built on Doo-Wop Minor include Africa, Despacito, and Earth Angel.

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