Chord Progressions in D Flat Major

Common progressions in D flat major

I-IV-V-I: Db – Gb – Ab – Db

Three chords, the backbone of rock and folk. (Db = Db F Ab · Gb = Gb Bb Db · Ab = Ab C Eb · Db = Db F Ab)

I-vi-IV-V: Db – Bbm – Gb – Ab

The classic 1950s doo-wop loop. (Db = Db F Ab · Bbm = Bb Db F · Gb = Gb Bb Db · Ab = Ab C Eb)

ii-V-I: Ebm7 – Ab7 – Dbmaj7

The most common cadence in jazz, here with seventh chords. (Ebm7 = Eb Gb Bb Db · Ab7 = Ab C Eb Gb · Dbmaj7 = Db F Ab C)

vi-IV-I-V: Bbm – Gb – Db – Ab

Same four chords as the pop loop, starting on the minor one for a darker feel. (Bbm = Bb Db F · Gb = Gb Bb Db · Db = Db F Ab · Ab = Ab C Eb)

I-IV-vi-V: Db – Gb – Bbm – Ab

A bright loop that keeps moving forward. (Db = Db F Ab · Gb = Gb Bb Db · Bbm = Bb Db F · Ab = Ab C Eb)

I-V-vi-IV: Db – Ab – Bbm – Gb

The loop behind countless pop choruses. (Db = Db F Ab · Ab = Ab C Eb · Bbm = Bb Db F · Gb = Gb Bb Db)

How to practise a progression

1. Play each chord four beats, slowly, and say its name.
2. Repeat the loop until the changes need no thinking.
3. Go faster only once each change sounds clean.