i–V–♭VI–IV in C Minor

Pattern: i – V – ♭VI – IV Chords: Cm – G – A♭ – F

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Cm (details)	minor	Tonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
♭VI	A♭ (details)	major	Submediant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cm (Tonic) → G (Dominant) → A♭ (Submediant) → F (Subdominant).

The i–V–♭VI–IV progression mixes harmonic minor's dominant V with natural minor's ♭VI and a borrowed major IV. This chromatic blend creates a sophisticated, emotionally complex cycle. It appears in modern pop and rock where songwriters seek a darker twist on familiar progressions.

Song Examples

If I Lose Myself — OneRepublic
Uprising — Muse

Chord Details

Cm G A♭ F

More Progressions in C Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI