i–iv–♭VII–V in E Minor

Pattern: i – iv – ♭VII – V Chords: Em – Am – D – B

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Em (details)	minor	Tonic
iv	Am (details)	minor	Subdominant
♭VII	D (details)	major	Subtonic
V	B (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → Am (Subdominant) → D (Subtonic) → B (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

Em Am D B

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