i–iv–♭VII–V in B Minor

Pattern: i – iv – ♭VII – V Chords: Bm – Em – A – F♯

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Bm (details)	minor	Tonic
iv	Em (details)	minor	Subdominant
♭VII	A (details)	major	Subtonic
V	F♯ (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bm (Tonic) → Em (Subdominant) → A (Subtonic) → F♯ (Dominant).

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.

Song Examples

Somebody to Love — Queen
Take Me to Church — Hozier

Chord Details

Bm Em A F♯

More Progressions in B 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