i–♭III–♭VI–♭VII

The i–♭III–♭VI–♭VII progression cycles through the natural minor scale's major chords, creating a wheel-like harmonic motion. Each chord provides a bright contrast to the minor tonic, giving the progression an anthemic, soaring quality. It is common in alternative rock and post-punk.

Pattern: i – ♭III – ♭VI – ♭VII   Example in A Minor: Am – C – F – G

Genre: rock, pop   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples