♭VII–V–I in E Major

Pattern: ♭VII – V – I Chords: D – B – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
♭VII	D (details)	major	Subtonic
V	B (details)	major	Dominant
I	E (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Subtonic) → B (Dominant) → E (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

Chord Details

D 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