i–♭III–♭VII–IV in E Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – ♭VII – IV Chords: Em – G – D – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Em (details)	minor	Tonic
♭III	G (details)	major	Mediant
♭VII	D (details)	major	Subtonic
IV	A (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → G (Mediant) → D (Subtonic) → A (Subdominant).

The i–♭III–♭VII–IV progression combines natural minor chords with a Dorian major IV, creating a rich modal loop. The ♭III provides brightness while the major IV adds an unexpected lift. This pattern is common in progressive and alternative rock.

Song Examples

Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles
Radioactive, Imagine Dragons

Chord Details

Em G D A

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