ii–V–IV–I in A♭ Major

Pattern: ii – V – IV – I Chords: Bbm – E♭ – D♭ – A♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
ii	Bbm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	E♭ (details)	major	Dominant
IV	D♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bbm (Supertonic) → E♭ (Dominant) → D♭ (Subdominant) → A♭ (Tonic).

A ii–V that detours through the subdominant before arriving at the tonic, combining authentic and plagal cadential motion. The IV chord softens the resolution, giving it a gospel-inflected warmth.

Song Examples

Body and Soul — Johnny Green
Misty — Erroll Garner

Chord Details

Bbm E♭ D♭ A♭

More Progressions in A♭ Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I