iv - bVII - I

Also known as the backdoor two-five-one.

A jazz favorite that sneaks into the tonic from the flat side. The iv and bVII sit a whole step apart like a ii-V shifted down, so the resolution feels smooth but slightly unexpected next to a normal V-I.

Hear it in different keys

In C major

ivm Fm bVII Bb I C

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In F major

ivm Bbm bVII Eb I F

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Heard in

Famous songs built on this progression. Learn the loop above and you can play along with them.

Misty — Erroll Garner
Just the Way You Are — Billy Joel

Each key above has a MIDI download with every chord played back to back, ready to drop into any DAW or notation program.

Roman numerals show scale degree and quality: uppercase for major, lowercase for minor, a small circle for diminished. Tap any chord above to open its full page, with a diagram and playback.