i–♭III–iv in E Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – iv Chords: Em – G – Am

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → G (Mediant) → Am (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

Em G Am

More Progressions in E 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