i–♭VI–iv–V

The i–♭VI–iv–V progression descends from the tonic minor through the dark ♭VI and subdominant before resolving via the dominant. The ♭VI-to-iv motion creates a heavy, gothic atmosphere that builds toward the V's bright resolution. This pattern is prevalent in symphonic metal and dark rock.

Pattern: i – ♭VI – iv – V   Example in A Minor: Am – F – Dm – E

Genre: rock, metal   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples