iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in A♭ Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: Cm – B – Bbm – A – A♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	Cm (details)	minor	Mediant
♭III	B (details)	major	Mediant
ii	Bbm (details)	minor	Supertonic
♭II	A (details)	major	Supertonic
I	A♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cm (Mediant) → B (Mediant) → Bbm (Supertonic) → A (Supertonic) → A♭ (Tonic).

A fully chromatic descending bass line from iii to I, alternating between diatonic and borrowed chords. This creates a sophisticated, tension-filled descent that is a hallmark of modern jazz harmony and Coltrane-era composition.

Song Examples

Giant Steps — John Coltrane
26-2 — John Coltrane

Chord Details

Cm B Bbm A 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