i–♭III–IV in A Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – IV Chords: Am – C – D

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Am (details)	minor	Tonic
♭III	C (details)	major	Mediant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Am (Tonic) → C (Mediant) → D (Subdominant).

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.

Song Examples

Get Lucky, Daft Punk
Brick House, Commodores

Chord Details

Am C D

More Progressions in A 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