I–iii–IV–V in A♭ Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

The iii chord acts as a smooth stepping stone between I and IV, adding a touch of minor color. This creates an elegant, ascending quality that works beautifully in ballads and mid-tempo songs.

Song Examples

Every Breath You Take — The Police
Grow Old with Me — John Lennon

Chord Details

A♭ 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