i–iv–♭VII–V

The i–iv–♭VII–V progression moves through the minor subdominant and subtonic before landing on a dominant V for resolution. The ♭VII-to-V motion creates a distinctive whole-step drop that adds tension before the cadence. This pattern works well in dramatic rock verses and pre-choruses.

Pattern: i – iv – ♭VII – V   Example in A Minor: Am – Dm – G – E

Genre: rock, pop   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples