i–♭III–IV in B♭ Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – IV   Chords: Bbm – D♭ – E♭

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
i Bbm (details) minor Tonic
♭III D♭ (details) major Mediant
IV E♭ (details) major Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bbm (Tonic) → D♭ (Mediant) → E♭ (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

Chord Details

More Progressions in B♭ Minor