♭VII–V–I in B Major
Pattern: ♭VII – V – I
Chords: A – F♯ – B
Chord Breakdown
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| ♭VII | A (details) | major | Subtonic |
| V | F♯ (details) | major | Dominant |
| I | B (details) | major | Tonic |
Harmonic Analysis
This progression moves through A (Subtonic) → F♯ (Dominant) → B (Tonic).
The backdoor dominant approach uses the ♭VII chord as an unexpected entry point before the standard dominant resolution. This creates a colorful, slightly ambiguous harmonic path that is a hallmark of sophisticated jazz writing.
Song Examples
- Stardust — Hoagy Carmichael
- Have You Met Miss Jones? — Richard Rodgers