I–ii–iii–IV–V in A♭ Major

Pattern: I – ii – iii – IV – V Chords: A♭ – Bbm – Cm – D♭ – E♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic
ii	Bbm (details)	minor	Supertonic
iii	Cm (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
V	E♭ (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A♭ (Tonic) → Bbm (Supertonic) → Cm (Mediant) → D♭ (Subdominant) → E♭ (Dominant).

A stepwise ascending motion through the first five diatonic chords. The rising bass line creates a strong sense of building energy and forward momentum, often used in intros and verses.

Song Examples

Joy Spring — Clifford Brown
Solar — Miles Davis

Chord Details

A♭ Bbm Cm D♭ E♭

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