i–♭VI–♭VII in F♯ Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – ♭VII Chords: F♯m – D – E

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through F♯m (Tonic) → D (Submediant) → E (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

F♯m 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