The lament, the line cliché, and the Pachelbel descent · i – i(maj7) – i7 – i6 · i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V
Baroque laments, minor line clichés, chromatic descents, and why Pachelbel is everywhere.
Editorial content for this topic is in progress. The interactive player and pattern data are live below.
Hear the pattern
Interactive player — try the progression in any of the 18 keys, switch modes, and adjust tempo to find the feel you want.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
75 BPM
Formulai – i(maj7) – i7 – i6 · i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V
FunctionSee "About" below for harmonic role.
Soundits gravity, lament, and inevitable descent
Common in"Hit the Road Jack" — Ray Charles · "Stairway to Heaven" — Led Zeppelin (intro) · "A Whiter Shade of Pale" — Procol Harum
Famous"Hit the Road Jack" — Ray Charles · "Stairway to Heaven" — Led Zeppelin (intro) · "A Whiter Shade of Pale" — Procol Harum
The plum and violet palette on this page is inspired by music-color synesthesia — descending bass lines maps to plum and violet, reflecting its gravity, lament, and inevitable descent.
About Descending Bass Lines
Baroque laments, minor line clichés, chromatic descents, and why Pachelbel is everywhere.
Variations
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i›Cm
80 BPM
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i›Cm
70 BPM
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
80 BPM
Famous songs & pieces
"Hit the Road Jack" — Ray Charles
"Stairway to Heaven" — Led Zeppelin (intro)
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" — Procol Harum
Frequently asked questions
What is a descending bass lines progression?
Baroque laments, minor line clichés, chromatic descents, and why Pachelbel is everywhere.
How do I use this on the piano?
Start with the player above in C. Once the pattern is in your ear, transpose to the keys you actually play in. The Roman numerals stay the same; only the chord names change.