i–♭VII in C Minor

Pattern: i – ♭VII Chords: Cm – B♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Cm (details)	minor	Tonic
♭VII	B♭ (details)	major	Subtonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cm (Tonic) → B♭ (Subtonic).

The i–♭VII progression is a two-chord modal vamp rooted in the Aeolian mode. Its back-and-forth motion between the tonic minor and the subtonic major chord creates a hypnotic, open-ended feel. This shuttle is common in film scores and atmospheric rock.

Song Examples

Stairway to Heaven (intro) — Led Zeppelin
All Along the Watchtower — Bob Dylan

Chord Details

Cm B♭

More Progressions in C 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–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI i–♭III–♭VII–IV