i–♭VII–IV

The i–♭VII–IV progression descends stepwise from the minor tonic through the subtonic to the subdominant, creating a classic Dorian-flavored sound. The major IV chord (borrowed from Dorian mode) gives it a brighter quality than typical minor progressions. It appears frequently in rock and folk music.

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

Genre: modal, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples