I–I–IV–I in A♭ Major
Pattern: I – I – IV – I
Chords: A♭ – A♭ – D♭ – A♭
Chord Breakdown
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | A♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
| I | A♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
| IV | D♭ (details) | major | Subdominant |
| I | A♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
Harmonic Analysis
This progression moves through A♭ (Tonic) → A♭ (Tonic) → D♭ (Subdominant) → A♭ (Tonic).
This four-bar phrase lingers on the tonic before briefly visiting the subdominant and returning. It reflects the opening bars of a 12-bar blues and works as a standalone vamp or riff foundation.
Song Examples
- Smokestack Lightning — Howlin' Wolf
- Boom Boom — John Lee Hooker