iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in F Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: Am – A♭ – Gm – G♭ – F

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	Am (details)	minor	Mediant
♭III	A♭ (details)	major	Mediant
ii	Gm (details)	minor	Supertonic
♭II	G♭ (details)	major	Supertonic
I	F (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Am (Mediant) → A♭ (Mediant) → Gm (Supertonic) → G♭ (Supertonic) → F (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

Am A♭ Gm G♭ F

More Progressions in F 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