i–♭III–iv in B Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – iv Chords: Bm – D – Em

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Bm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭III	D (details)	major	Mediant
iv	Em (details)	minor	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bm (Tonic) → D (Mediant) → Em (Subdominant).

The i–♭III–iv progression gently sways between the minor tonic, its relative major, and the subdominant minor. The ♭III provides a momentary lift before the iv settles back into melancholy. This simple three-chord pattern is effective in folk songs and acoustic ballads.

Song Examples

The House of the Rising Sun — The Animals
Scarborough Fair — Simon & Garfunkel

Chord Details

Bm D Em

More Progressions in B 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