♭VI–V–I in C Major

Pattern: ♭VI – V – I Chords: A♭ – G – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
♭VI	A♭ (details)	major	Submediant
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A♭ (Submediant) → G (Dominant) → C (Tonic).

The ♭VI–V–I progression approaches the tonic through half-step motion from the borrowed ♭VI to the dominant V. This chromatic squeeze creates intense tension before the satisfying resolution to I. The pattern appears in classical music as a deceptive resolution reversal and in rock as a dramatic cadence.

Song Examples

While My Guitar Gently Weeps — The Beatles
Creep (chorus resolution) — Radiohead

Chord Details

A♭ G C

More Progressions in C 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