iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in B♭ Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: Dm – D♭ – Cm – B – B♭

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Dm (Mediant) → D♭ (Mediant) → Cm (Supertonic) → B (Supertonic) → B♭ (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

Dm D♭ Cm B B♭

More Progressions in B♭ 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