I–iii–IV–iv–V–I in B♭ Major

Pattern: I – iii – IV – iv – V – I Chords: B♭ – Dm – E♭ – Ebm – F – B♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	B♭ (details)	major	Tonic
iii	Dm (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	E♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
iv	Ebm (details)	minor	Subdominant
V	F (details)	major	Dominant
I	B♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through B♭ (Tonic) → Dm (Mediant) → E♭ (Subdominant) → Ebm (Subdominant) → F (Dominant) → B♭ (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

B♭ Dm E♭ Ebm F

More Progressions in B♭ 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