i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII chord progression
Epic minor loop — i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII · also called the minor axis progression, 1–6–3–7 in minor
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Be the first to rate this tooli–♭VI–♭III–♭VII chord progression — how it works
The i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression is the minor-key reading of the axis progression: the same four chords as vi–IV–I–V, but heard from the minor tonic, so the loop sounds dramatic and cinematic rather than bright.
It moves from the tonic (i) to the flat sixth (♭VI) to the flat third (♭III) to the flat seventh (subtonic) (♭VII) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.
In A minor the chords are Am – F – C – G; in E minor they are Em – C – G – D. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C minor | Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ |
| C♯ minor | C♯m – A – E – B |
| D minor | Dm – B♭ – F – C |
| D♯ minor | D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯ |
| E minor | Em – C – G – D |
| F minor | Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ |
| F♯ minor | F♯m – D – A – E |
| G minor | Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F |
| G♯ minor | G♯m – E – B – F♯ |
| A minor | Am – F – C – G |
| B♭ minor | B♭m – G♭ – D♭ – A♭ |
| B minor | Bm – G – D – A |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for:
- Zombie — The Cranberries
- Numb — Linkin Park
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression in A minor?
- In A minor the i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression is Am – F – C – G. The same numerals give Em – C – G – D in E minor; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression called?
- i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII is known as the Epic minor loop, and also as the minor axis progression and 1–6–3–7 in minor. The i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression is the minor-key reading of the axis progression: the same four chords as vi–IV–I–V, but heard from the minor tonic, so the loop sounds dramatic and cinematic rather than bright.
- How long is the i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII progression?
- "Zombie" by The Cranberries and "Numb" by Linkin Park are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.