i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII

The i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression cycles through the natural minor scale's major chords in a pattern that emphasizes power and drive. The falling-third motion from ♭VI to ♭III and rising fourth to ♭VII creates a headbanging rhythmic feel. This progression is ubiquitous in heavy metal and punk rock.

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

Genre: metal, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples