i–♭VI–iv in E Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – iv Chords: Em – C – Am

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Em (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VI	C (details)	major	Submediant
iv	Am (details)	minor	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → C (Submediant) → Am (Subdominant).

The i–♭VI–iv progression creates a deeply melancholic cycle using only minor and major triads from the natural minor scale. The leap to ♭VI provides a moment of warmth before the iv pulls the mood back down. This simple pattern is effective in ballads and introspective songs.

Song Examples

Skinny Love — Bon Iver
Mad World — Gary Jules

Chord Details

Em C Am

More Progressions in E 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