iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in E♭ Major
Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I
Chords: Gm – G♭ – Fm – E – E♭
Chord Breakdown
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| iii | Gm (details) | minor | Mediant |
| ♭III | G♭ (details) | major | Mediant |
| ii | Fm (details) | minor | Supertonic |
| ♭II | E (details) | major | Supertonic |
| I | E♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
Harmonic Analysis
This progression moves through Gm (Mediant) → G♭ (Mediant) → Fm (Supertonic) → E (Supertonic) → E♭ (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