I–♭VII in D Major

Pattern: I – ♭VII Chords: D – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	D (details)	major	Tonic
♭VII	C (details)	major	Subtonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Tonic) → C (Subtonic).

The I–♭VII progression borrows the flat-seven chord from Mixolydian mode, giving a major-key vamp a bluesy, rootsy character. Its simplicity makes it a favorite in classic rock and folk-rock. The ♭VII adds a gritty tension that avoids the pull of a dominant V chord.

Song Examples

Sweet Child O' Mine (chorus), Guns N' Roses
Gloria, Them

Chord Details

D C

More Progressions in D 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