i–♭III–♭VI–♭VII in C Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – ♭VI – ♭VII Chords: Cm – E♭ – A♭ – B♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Cm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭III	E♭ (details)	major	Mediant
♭VI	A♭ (details)	major	Submediant
♭VII	B♭ (details)	major	Subtonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cm (Tonic) → E♭ (Mediant) → A♭ (Submediant) → B♭ (Subtonic).

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.

Song Examples

Wake Me Up When September Ends — Green Day
Numb — Linkin Park

Chord Details

Cm E♭ A♭ B♭

More Progressions in C 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