I–♭II–I in D Major

Pattern: I – ♭II – I   Chords: D – E♭ – D

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
I D (details) major Tonic
♭II E♭ (details) major Supertonic
I D (details) major Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Tonic) → E♭ (Supertonic) → D (Tonic).

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.

Song Examples

Chord Details

More Progressions in D Major