Mi Seguiriya

Mi Seguiriya — iv – III – II – I

The deepest and most solemn palo. 12-beat cycle with alternating 3/4 and 6/8 creating a unique asymmetric feel. E Phrygian (Am-G-F-E). Roman documents the characteristic oscillating cadence B(addb9)-C7-B(addb9) with the dark b9 tension on the tonic.

Playing in Mi minor

E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through A to G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to E (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from E to A by perfect fourth.

Capo Transposition

To play in E using familiar open chords: capo 2 with open D shapes; capo 4 with open C shapes; capo 7 with open A shapes. Choose the capo position that gives you the voicings you prefer — lower capo positions produce a fuller sound, while higher positions create a brighter, mandolin-like timbre.

Scales for Soloing

E minor pentatonic is your safest starting point because all five notes are chord tones or stable tensions within the natural minor harmony. When a dominant seventh chord appears, switch briefly to E Dorian or harmonic minor to capture the raised 6th or 7th that the chord implies.

Strumming Pattern

Try a D-D-DU waltz pattern at 80-100 BPM. Accent beat 1 strongly and keep beats 2-3 lighter. For fingerpicking, use a bass-pluck-pluck pattern with alternating bass notes.