I–♭VI–♭VII–I

The I–♭VI–♭VII–I progression borrows two chords from the parallel minor to create a heavy, powerful major-key riff. The ♭VI and ♭VII provide dark, chromatic contrast before the triumphant return to the major tonic. This pattern is a staple of power metal and hard rock anthems.

Pattern: I – ♭VI – ♭VII – I   Example in C Major: C – A♭ – B♭ – C

Genre: metal, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – A♭ – B♭ – C G Major G – E♭ – F – G D Major D – B♭ – C – D A Major A – F – G – A E Major E – C – D – E B Major B – G – A – B F♯ Major F♯ – D – E – F♯ F Major F – D♭ – E♭ – F B♭ Major B♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ E♭ Major E♭ – B – D♭ – E♭ A♭ Major A♭ – E – G♭ – A♭ D♭ Major D♭ – A – B – D♭

Song Examples