i–♭VI–♭VII–i in F Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – ♭VII – i Chords: Fm – D♭ – E♭ – Fm

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Fm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VI	D♭ (details)	major	Submediant
♭VII	E♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
i	Fm (details)	minor	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Fm (Tonic) → D♭ (Submediant) → E♭ (Subtonic) → Fm (Tonic).

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.

Song Examples

Running Up That Hill — Kate Bush
Zombie — The Cranberries

Chord Details

Fm D♭ E♭

More Progressions in F Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI