A# Backdoor Cadence
iv – ♭VII – I progression in A# major
A# Backdoor Cadence — iv – ♭VII – I
The A# Backdoor Cadence (D#m – G# – A#) resolves to the tonic through the "back door" — a minor iv chord followed by a ♭VII7, bypassing the usual dominant V–I. This unexpected approach produces a smoky, soulful resolution central to jazz and R&B harmony. With seventh chord voicings (D#m7 – G#7 – A#Maj7), the backdoor quality is even more pronounced.