Line ClichéChord progression · i – i(maj7) – i7 – i6
One chord, with a note walking down by half steps.
In A minor
Why the Line Cliché progression works
The harmony stays on home, so the degree never changes, but one note inside the chord walks down by half steps and recolours it as it goes. In A minor the chords are Am, Am(maj7), Am7, Am6, so the line runs A, G#, G, F#; in C major it is C, Cmaj7, C7, C6, the line C, B, Bb, A. The ear follows the moving line while the chord stands still.
Songs built on it, each in its own key:
- My Funny Valentine
- Something
Heard in: Classic rockPop balladSoulSwing and standardsBossa nova
How to play Line Cliché in A minor
One voicing per chord, each the nearest to the chord before, so your hand stays in one spot. Open any chord in the chord library for every other way to play it.
Line Cliché chords in all 12 keys
The same numerals in every key. Each chord opens in the chord library, and each key plays in the progression builder.
| Key | i | i(maj7) | i7 | i6 | Builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C minor | Cm | Cm(maj7) | Cm7 | Cm6 | Play ▶ |
| C♯ minor | C♯m | C♯m(maj7) | C♯m7 | C♯m6 | Play ▶ |
| D minor | Dm | Dm(maj7) | Dm7 | Dm6 | Play ▶ |
| D♯ minor | D♯m | D♯m(maj7) | D♯m7 | D♯m6 | Play ▶ |
| E minor | Em | Em(maj7) | Em7 | Em6 | Play ▶ |
| F minor | Fm | Fm(maj7) | Fm7 | Fm6 | Play ▶ |
| F♯ minor | F♯m | F♯m(maj7) | F♯m7 | F♯m6 | Play ▶ |
| G minor | Gm | Gm(maj7) | Gm7 | Gm6 | Play ▶ |
| G♯ minor | G♯m | G♯m(maj7) | G♯m7 | G♯m6 | Play ▶ |
| A minor | Am | Am(maj7) | Am7 | Am6 | Play ▶ |
| B♭ minor | B♭m | B♭m(maj7) | B♭m7 | B♭m6 | Play ▶ |
| B minor | Bm | Bm(maj7) | Bm7 | Bm6 | Play ▶ |
What scale to play over Line Cliché
Over the whole progression in A minor: A Natural minor, A Minor pentatonic. To follow every chord, switch to the scale the progression builder picks for it.
| Chord | Scale over it |
|---|---|
| i · Am | A Natural minor |
| i(maj7) · Am(maj7) | A Harmonic minor |
| i7 · Am7 | A Natural minor |
| i6 · Am6 | A Dorian |
Line Cliché questions
What are the chords of the Line Cliché progression?
i – i(maj7) – i7 – i6. In A minor that is Am, Am(maj7), Am7, Am6; in E minor it is Em, Em(maj7), Em7, Em6.
Which songs use the Line Cliché progression?
My Funny Valentine and Something, each in its own key.
What scale do you play over the Line Cliché progression?
A Natural minor and A Minor pentatonic fit the whole progression in A minor. Chord by chord: A Natural minor over Am, A Harmonic minor over Am(maj7), A Natural minor over Am7, A Dorian over Am6.
How do you play the Line Cliché progression in another key?
Keep the numerals and move every chord by the same distance. The table on this page spells it in all 12 keys, and each key opens in the progression builder.