I–IV–V7 in A♭ Major

Pattern: I – IV – V7 Chords: A♭ – D♭ – E♭7

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
V7	E♭7 (details)	dominant seventh	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A♭ (Tonic) → D♭ (Subdominant) → E♭7 (Dominant).

Adding a seventh to the dominant chord gives this three-chord progression its unmistakable blues flavor. The V7 creates a stronger pull back to I than a plain V, giving it that classic blues urgency.

Song Examples

Key to the Highway — Big Bill Broonzy
Before You Accuse Me — Eric Clapton

Chord Details

A♭ D♭ E♭7

More Progressions in A♭ Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I