i–♭VI–iv in F♯ Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VI – iv Chords: F♯m – D – Bm

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	F♯m (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VI	D (details)	major	Submediant
iv	Bm (details)	minor	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

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

F♯m D Bm

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