i–♭III–IV in B Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – IV   Chords: Bm – D – E

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
i Bm (details) minor Tonic
♭III D (details) major Mediant
IV E (details) major Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bm (Tonic) → D (Mediant) → E (Subdominant).

The i–♭III–IV progression rises stepwise from the minor tonic through the relative major to a Dorian IV chord. The major IV gives this minor progression an unexpectedly bright, hopeful quality. It is used extensively in funk, R&B, and modal rock.

Song Examples

Chord Details

More Progressions in B Minor