i–iv–♭VII–V in F Minor

Pattern: i – iv – ♭VII – V Chords: Fm – Bbm – E♭ – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Fm (details)	minor	Tonic
iv	Bbm (details)	minor	Subdominant
♭VII	E♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
V	C (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Fm (Tonic) → Bbm (Subdominant) → E♭ (Subtonic) → C (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

Fm Bbm E♭ C

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