I–♭VII–IV–I in A♭ Major

Pattern: I – ♭VII – IV – I Chords: A♭ – G♭ – D♭ – A♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic
♭VII	G♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A♭ (Tonic) → G♭ (Subtonic) → D♭ (Subdominant) → A♭ (Tonic).

The I–♭VII–IV–I turnaround chains two plagal cadences together, descending by fourths from the borrowed ♭VII through IV back to the tonic. This plagal double descent avoids dominant harmony entirely, giving it a modal, earthy quality. It is a signature pattern in Britpop and classic rock.

Song Examples

Hey Jude (coda) — The Beatles
All Along the Watchtower — Jimi Hendrix

Chord Details

A♭ G♭ D♭

More Progressions in A♭ Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I