i–♭VI–♭VII

The i–♭VI–♭VII progression leaps from the minor tonic to the flat sixth before stepping up to the flat seventh, creating a sense of escape and release. This three-chord pattern avoids the dominant entirely, keeping the harmony floating in natural minor. It is a cornerstone of hard rock and metal.

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

Genre: rock, metal   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples