7-3-6 Chord Progression (viim7b5 III7 vi)
The 7-3-6 progression is the chord progression viim7b5-III7-vi. In the key of C major it is Bm7b5 E7 Am, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 7(m7b5) 3(7) 6m.
It is also known as gospel 7-3-6.
Chords from outside the key of C major: E7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This is a minor ii-V-i aimed at vi, used inside a major key. The half diminished vii is diatonic, while III7 raises the fifth degree to act as the dominant of vi. Gospel players use it to reach vi with extra pull, often continuing to ii-V-I.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly Me to the Moon | Bart Howard | A section, bars 6 to 8 | Bm7b5 | E7 | Am7 | C major |
| Autumn Leaves | Joseph Kosma | A section, bars 5 to 7, heard in Bb | Am7b5 | D7 | Gm7 | Bb major |
| Love | Musiq Soulchild | intro, heard in E | D#m7b5 G#7 C#m7 | E major |
7-3-6 Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- I-iii-IV walk-up: C Em F
- I-I7-IV-iv minor plagal: C C7 F Fm
- I7-IV7 vamp: C7 F7
- One-chord funk vamp: C7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the 7-3-6 progression in each key?
In C major: Bm7b5 E7 Am. In G major: F#m7b5 B7 Em. In D major: C#m7b5 F#7 Bm. In A major: G#m7b5 C#7 F#m. In E major: D#m7b5 G#7 C#m.
Which songs use the 7-3-6 progression?
Songs that use it include Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard, Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, Love by Musiq Soulchild.
