The i-viio7-bVII-bVI progression i-viio7-bVII-bVI

Level: AdvancedMode: minor
i Cm
viio7 Bdim7
bVII Bbmaj
bVI Abmaj

Piano sound loads on first tap. Resolved in the key of C — every chord links to its full analysis.

What each degree does

iCm

Home, but in shadow — the minor tonic. The same rest as I, coloured dark and melancholic.

viio7Bdim7

The FULLY diminished seventh — maximal tension, a symmetrical chord of stacked minor thirds with dominant function in the minor mode. Everything points toward resolution.

bVIIBbmaj

The flat subtonic — a major chord borrowed from the minor/Mixolydian mode, a whole step below the tonic. It gives the classic rock turn and the 'backdoor' approach to I.

bVIAbmaj

The flat sixth major — borrowed from the minor mode, a dramatic, epic colour. It falls over the key like a large shadow before the dominant.

More progressions of this level