vii°–I in E♭ Major
Pattern: vii° – I
Chords: Ddim – E♭
Chord Breakdown
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| vii° | Ddim (details) | diminished | Subtonic |
| I | E♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
Harmonic Analysis
This progression moves through Ddim (Subtonic) → E♭ (Tonic).
The vii°–I progression features the diminished triad built on the leading tone resolving directly to the tonic. The diminished chord's inherent instability — caused by its tritone between root and flat fifth — creates powerful tension that demands resolution. It functions similarly to V–I but with even more urgency, and is a staple of classical part-writing and jazz voice leading.
Song Examples
- Prelude in C Major — J.S. Bach
- Killing Me Softly — Roberta Flack
- Moonlight Sonata — Beethoven