i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII chord progression
Aeolian descent — i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII · also called the 1–7–6–7 in minor, Watchtower progression
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4.7 · 6 ratingsi–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII chord progression — how it works
The i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression steps down from the minor tonic through the two major chords below it and back up, never touching a dominant, so it circles with a restless, natural-minor drive — the engine of many folk-rock and hard-rock verses.
It moves from the tonic (i) to the flat seventh (subtonic) (♭VII) to the flat sixth (♭VI) 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 – G – F – G; in E minor they are Em – D – C – 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–♭VII–♭VI–♭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 – B♭ – A♭ – B♭ |
| C♯ minor | C♯m – B – A – B |
| D minor | Dm – C – B♭ – C |
| D♯ minor | D♯m – C♯ – B – C♯ |
| E minor | Em – D – C – D |
| F minor | Fm – E♭ – D♭ – E♭ |
| F♯ minor | F♯m – E – D – E |
| G minor | Gm – F – E♭ – F |
| G♯ minor | G♯m – F♯ – E – F♯ |
| A minor | Am – G – F – G |
| B♭ minor | B♭m – A♭ – G♭ – A♭ |
| B minor | Bm – A – G – A |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- All Along the Watchtower — Bob Dylan
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What musicians say
- 5★5
- 4★0
- 3★1
- 2★0
- 1★0
クラシック～ジャズまでキーをC（ハ長調・ハ短調）でいくつものパターンを見聞きしましたが、とても分かり易くて良かった。
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression in A minor?
- In A minor the i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression is Am – G – F – G. The same numerals give Em – D – C – D in E minor; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression called?
- i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII is known as the Aeolian descent, and also as the 1–7–6–7 in minor and Watchtower progression. The i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression steps down from the minor tonic through the two major chords below it and back up, never touching a dominant, so it circles with a restless, natural-minor drive — the engine of many folk-rock and hard-rock verses.
- How long is the i–♭VII–♭VI–♭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–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII progression?
- "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan is built on it, at least in the section each is known for.