I–♭II–I

A striking chromatic movement that lifts the harmony a half step to the Neapolitan chord before returning to the tonic. This creates a momentary sense of displacement and tension that resolves immediately.

Pattern: I – ♭II – I   Example in C Major: C – D♭ – C

Genre: jazz   Difficulty: advanced

Choose a Key

C Major C – D♭ – C G Major G – A♭ – G D Major D – E♭ – D A Major A – B♭ – A E Major E – F – E B Major B – C – B F♯ Major F♯ – G – F♯ F Major F – G♭ – F B♭ Major B♭ – B – B♭ E♭ Major E♭ – E – E♭ A♭ Major A♭ – A – A♭ D♭ Major D♭ – D – D♭

Song Examples