Backdoor Progression (iv7 bVII7 I)
The Backdoor progression is the chord progression iv7-bVII7-I. In the key of C major it is Fm7 Bb7 C, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 4m(7) b7(7) 1.
Chords from outside the key of C major: Fm7, Bb7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The backdoor progression. Instead of arriving through V7 (the front door), it comes in through bVII7, a dominant chord a whole step below the tonic, prepared by its own ii, the iv7. Both chords are borrowed from the parallel minor, and the Ab inside Bb7 falls to G, giving a warm, sighing resolution.
How to use it
This is often known as a backdoor progression as it is used in jazz pieces as a turnaround. It is clearly a variation on the popular jazz ii-V-I, with iv7 and bVII7 reaching the tonic instead of ii and V, and you will often hear it as a short move back home like in a few songs below.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Such Thing | John Mayer | chorus | Am9 D9 E9 | E major |
| I Wanna Be Where You Are | Jackson 5 | verse | Gm7 C7 D7 | D major |
| What A Girl Wants | Christina Aguilera | chorus | Fm Bb C | C major |
| Yardbird Suite | Charlie Parker | head | Fm7 Bb7 C7 | C major |
| Misty | Oscar Peterson | verse | Abm7 Db7 Ebmaj7 | Eb major |
| Misty | Erroll Garner | A section, bars 4 and 5 | Abm7 Db7 | Ebmaj7 (plays iv7-bVII7-Imaj7) | Eb major |
| Lady Bird | Tadd Dameron | first line into the second line | Fm7 Bb7 Cmaj7 (plays iv7-bVII7-Imaj7) | C major |
| Groovin' High | Dizzy Gillespie | bars 29 to 31 | Fm | Abm Db7 | Eb (plays iv7-bVII7-Imaj7) | Eb major |
| Just Friends | John Klenner | bars 3 to 5 | Cm7 | F7 | Gmaj7 (plays iv7-bVII7-Imaj7) | G major |
Backdoor 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-#Idim-ii-V: C C#dim Dm G
- Ascending augmented: C Caug C6 C7
- Ragtime progression: C A7 D7 G7
- I-IV-II-V: C F D G
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 Backdoor progression in each key?
In C major: Fm7 Bb7 C. In G major: Cm7 F7 G. In D major: Gm7 C7 D. In A major: Dm7 G7 A. In E major: Am7 D7 E.
Which songs use the Backdoor progression?
Songs that use it include No Such Thing by John Mayer, I Wanna Be Where You Are by Jackson 5, What A Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera.
