i–VII–VI–VII chord progression
The epic minor loop. In B minor it's Bm – A – G – A. Press play, then pick any key from the menu.
In B minor, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- iBm
- VIIA
- VIG
- VIIA
Why it works
The loop rocks between Bm and the two big major chords below it, A and G. Because it never uses a dominant V, it never quite resolves; it just surges back to Bm. The flat-seven chord (A) is the key ingredient: it's a whole step below home, a sound more common in rock and film than in classical harmony.
How it feels: epic, heroic, relentless.
Inside i–VII–VI–VII
Roots only: B – A – G – A. Pianists move as little as possible; here is how:
- i → VII: Bm to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E), while B moves down to A, D down to C♯ and F♯ down to E.
- VII → VI: A to G: play G in root position (G–B–D), while A moves down to G, C♯ down to B and E down to D.
- VI → VII: G to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E), while G moves up to A, B up to C♯ and D up to E.
- VII → i (back to the top): A to Bm: play Bm in root position (B–D–F♯), while A moves up to B, C♯ up to D and E up to F♯.
i–VII–VI–VII in all 12 keys
Pick the row that suits your voice or your instrument.
| Key | Chords | |
|---|---|---|
| A minor | Am – G – F – G | |
| E minor | Em – D – C – D | |
| B minor | Bm – A – G – A | |
| F♯ minor | F♯m – E – D – E | |
| C♯ minor | C♯m – B – A – B | |
| G♯ minor | G♯m – F♯ – E – F♯ | |
| E♭ minor | E♭m – D♭ – C♭ – D♭ | |
| B♭ minor | B♭m – A♭ – G♭ – A♭ | |
| F minor | Fm – E♭ – D♭ – E♭ | |
| C minor | Cm – B♭ – A♭ – B♭ | |
| G minor | Gm – F – E♭ – F | |
| D minor | Dm – C – B♭ – C |
On guitar
The friendliest keys for i–VII–VI–VII on guitar are E minor and A minor, where every chord is an open shape.
E minor: Em – D – C – D
A minor: Am – G – F – G
Somewhere else? A capo moves these shapes up: capo 2 turns E minor shapes into the key a whole step higher. Capo chart.
Ways to vary it
- Hold the VI for two bars before the final VII to build more tension.
- Play it with power chords and palm muting for a heavier sound.
- Swap the last VII for a major V to add a stronger pull back to i.
Related progressions
Build your own progression and share it as a link
i–VII–VI–VII: questions
What is the i–VII–VI–VII chord progression?
The epic minor loop: the chords on degrees 1, 7, 6, 7 of a minor key. In B minor that's Bm – A – G – A.
Why does i–VII–VI–VII sound good?
The loop rocks between Bm and the two big major chords below it, A and G. Because it never uses a dominant V, it never quite resolves; it just surges back to Bm.
How do I play i–VII–VI–VII in G?
It's a minor progression, so use a minor key. In E minor: Em – D – C – D.
How do I change i–VII–VI–VII to another key?
Keep the numerals and swap the key: the numbers say which note of the scale each chord is built on. Use the key menu in the player above, or the table of all 12 keys on this page.
What else is i–VII–VI–VII called?
"1 7 6 7". Musicians also call it the epic minor loop.
Chords in every key are generated from the scale and checked by the site's theory tests. We describe progressions in general terms and don't transcribe songs. Updated September 2026.