i–♭VI–♭VII–i

The i–♭VI–♭VII–i progression creates a complete orbit from the minor tonic through two borrowed major chords and back. The stepwise ascent from ♭VI to ♭VII builds momentum before resolving home. This cyclical pattern is popular in new wave and alternative rock.

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

Genre: modal, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples