i–♭VII–i

The i–♭VII–i progression creates a simple neighbor-tone motion, stepping down to the subtonic and returning to the minor tonic. This rocking two-chord vamp has an ancient, modal quality that evokes folk traditions and medieval music. Its simplicity makes it effective for building hypnotic grooves.

Pattern: i – ♭VII – i   Example in A Minor: Am – G – Am

Genre: rock, folk   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

A Minor Am – G – Am E Minor Em – D – Em B Minor Bm – A – Bm F♯ Minor F♯m – E – F♯m C♯ Minor C♯m – B – C♯m G♯ Minor G♯m – G♭ – G♯m D Minor Dm – C – Dm G Minor Gm – F – Gm C Minor Cm – B♭ – Cm F Minor Fm – E♭ – Fm B♭ Minor Bbm – A♭ – Bbm E♭ Minor Ebm – D♭ – Ebm

Song Examples