I–IV–ii–V–I in A♭ Major

Pattern: I – IV – ii – V – I Chords: A♭ – D♭ – Bbm – E♭ – A♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
ii	Bbm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	E♭ (details)	major	Dominant
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

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

A progression that approaches the dominant cadence via both subdominant chords (IV and ii), creating a strong pre-dominant preparation. This double subdominant approach is characteristic of Classical-period phrase endings.

Song Examples

Sonata in A Major, K. 331 — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15 — Johannes Brahms

Chord Details

A♭ D♭ Bbm E♭

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