I–♭VII–I

Using the flat seventh chord borrowed from the Mixolydian mode, this progression creates a gritty, bluesy slide effect. The ♭VII adds a raw, rebellious quality that defines blues rock.

Pattern: I – ♭VII – I   Example in C Major: C – B♭ – C

Genre: blues, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples