i–♭III–IV

The i–♭III–IV progression rises stepwise from the minor tonic through the relative major to a Dorian IV chord. The major IV gives this minor progression an unexpectedly bright, hopeful quality. It is used extensively in funk, R&B, and modal rock.

Pattern: i – ♭III – IV   Example in A Minor: Am – C – D

Genre: modal, rock   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

A Minor Am – C – D E Minor Em – G – A B Minor Bm – D – E F♯ Minor F♯m – A – B C♯ Minor C♯m – E – F♯ G♯ Minor G♯m – B – C♯ D Minor Dm – F – G G Minor Gm – B♭ – C C Minor Cm – E♭ – F F Minor Fm – A♭ – B♭ B♭ Minor Bbm – D♭ – E♭ E♭ Minor Ebm – G♭ – A♭

Song Examples