I–iii–IV–iv–V–I in A♭ Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

The I–iii–IV–iv–V–I progression features a chromatic inner voice that descends through the IV-to-iv shift, creating a ♭ittersweet moment of modal mixture. This borrowed minor iv chord adds emotional depth to an otherwise diatonic progression. It is a hallmark of sophisticated pop songwriting.

Song Examples

Creep — Radiohead
Space Oddity — David Bowie

Chord Details

A♭ Cm D♭ Dbm 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