I–V–vi–IV in A♭ Major

Pattern: I – V – vi – IV Chords: A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic
V	E♭ (details)	major	Dominant
vi	Fm (details)	minor	Submediant
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

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

The I–V–vi–IV progression is arguably the most widely used chord pattern in modern pop music. Its blend of major brightness and minor tension creates an emotionally compelling loop that feels uplifting yet ♭ittersweet. Hundreds of hit songs across decades rely on this four-chord cycle.

Song Examples

Someone Like You — Adele
Let It Be — The Beatles
No Woman, No Cry — Bob Marley

Chord Details

A♭ E♭ Fm D♭

More Progressions in A♭ Major

I–IV–V–I 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 V–I

Related Progressions

vi–IV–I–V I–vi–IV–V I–IV–V–I