i–♭VI–IV–V

The i–♭VI–IV–V progression mixes natural minor's ♭VI with a Dorian major IV before resolving through the harmonic minor's dominant V. This blend of modal sources creates a rich, powerful sound. The pattern is common in progressive metal and power ballads where darkness meets resolution.

Pattern: i – ♭VI – IV – V   Example in A Minor: Am – F – D – E

Genre: metal, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples