i–♭VI–♭VII in D Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – ♭VII Chords: Dm – B♭ – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Dm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VI	B♭ (details)	major	Submediant
♭VII	C (details)	major	Subtonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Dm (Tonic) → B♭ (Submediant) → C (Subtonic).

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.

Song Examples

Iron Man — Black Sabbath
Paranoid — Black Sabbath

Chord Details

Dm B♭ C

More Progressions in D 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