i–VI–III–VII in C Minor — Chords & Free MIDI

i–VI–III–VII is the epic minor loop behind countless EDM and film cues. Written out in C Minor — 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab) — it becomes Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb. The numerals are what stays the same from key to key: i–VI–III–VII is the same set of relationships whether it lands on Cm or on any of the other eleven keys, which is why songwriters think in numerals and only pick a key afterwards.

i–VI–III–VII in C Minor, chord by chord

The same progression, related keys

Numerals travel: i–VI–III–VII is the same set of relationships in any key, so if C Minor sits wrong for a singer, move it and the shape survives.

• Eb Major scale — relative major — the same seven notes, resolving to a different home
• C Major scale — parallel major — the same tonic, a different third

How it works

Pick a key, a scale, and one of the classic progressions, and this tool writes the chords into a MIDI file you can drop straight onto an instrument track in any DAW. Each roman numeral is voiced as a triad built from the scale — enable 7th chords for a jazzier sound, or arpeggiate to spread each chord into eighth notes. Press play preview to hear the progression before downloading. Here the tool arrives preset to i–VI–III–VII in C Minor, so the file you download voices Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb exactly as shown above.

Popular progressions included

• I – V – vi – IV — the "four chords" behind countless pop hits.
• ii – V – I — the fundamental jazz turnaround.
• The 12-bar blues — the backbone of blues, rock and roll, and early jazz.
• The Andalusian cadence, the 50s doo-wop changes, the J-pop royal road, and more.

Because every progression is spelled from the key you choose, moving i–VI–III–VII out of C Minor is one dropdown away — but in C Minor itself you get Cm, Ab, Eb, Bb, chords that sit comfortably under most vocal ranges and lead instruments.

Progressions are a starting point — if you want full arrangements with melodies, basslines, and drums written around Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb, open the MIDI Maker studio and generate a complete track.

i–VI–III–VII in every key

• i–VI–III–VII in Db Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in D Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in Eb Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in E Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in F Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in Gb Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in G Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in Ab Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in A Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in Bb Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in B Minor

More progressions in C Minor

• I–V–vi–IV in C Major
• vi–IV–I–V in C Major
• I–IV–V–IV in C Major
• I–vi–IV–V in C Major
• ii–V–I in C Major
• I–vi–ii–V in C Major
• i–VII–VI–V in C Minor
• i–iv–VII–III in C Minor
• I–V–IV–IV in C Major
• IV–V–iii–vi in C Major
• 12-Bar Blues in C Major

Or head back to the chord progression tool to build any combination yourself.

Keep building: scales, drums and more

• C Minor scale MIDI
• C Minor Pentatonic scale MIDI
• House drum MIDI
• Techno drum MIDI
• Boom Bap Hip-Hop drum MIDI
• Trap drum MIDI

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the i–VI–III–VII progression in C Minor?

In C Minor, i–VI–III–VII is Cm – Ab – Eb – Bb. Those are built from the c minor scale — C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb — stacking thirds on each numeral's degree.

What notes make up each chord?

Cm is C, Eb, G; Ab is Ab, C, Eb; Eb is Eb, G, Bb; Bb is Bb, D, F.

Can I get 7th chords or arpeggios instead of block triads?

Yes — enable "7th chords" to stack a diatonic seventh on every chord, or "Arpeggiate" to spread each chord into eighth notes before downloading.

Is this chord progression MIDI free for commercial use?

Yes — the download is free, requires no sign-up, and chord progressions themselves are not copyrightable, so you can use the MIDI in any personal or commercial production.