i–♭VI–V

The i–♭VI–V progression uses the dramatic half-step motion between ♭VI and V to create a powerful cadential gesture. The chromatic shift from the warm ♭VI to the bright V generates intense tension before resolving to the tonic. This pattern has been used from Baroque music to modern rock.

Pattern: i – ♭VI – V   Example in A Minor: Am – F – E

Genre: rock, classical   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples