I–♭VII–♭VI–♭V

A dramatic chromatic descent through borrowed flat-side chords that creates a dark, unstable harmonic landscape. This progression is a favorite in modern jazz and fusion for creating tension over a descending bass line.

Pattern: I – ♭VII – ♭VI – ♭V   Example in C Major: C – B♭ – A♭ – G♭

Genre: jazz   Difficulty: advanced

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples