♭VI–V–I in E Major

Pattern: ♭VI – V – I Chords: C – B – E

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Submediant) → B (Dominant) → E (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

C B E

More Progressions in E 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