Flat VII Mode

[Vociferous]

I was listening to a slow progression this morning: I-V-flatVII-IV, and realized I do not know how to cope, modally, with a flat VII (or any other sharp or flat).
I was also wondering whether someone could tell me if this progression is what is called circle of fifths, or not.

Paul

[JTE]

Not really circle of fifths. From the I to V is a fifth, but the V to bVII is minor third. The rest of it (the bVII to IV and the IV to I) are fifths.

Can't help on what mode to use, as I avoid modal thinking when dealing with chordal music- it's a pointless trap that obscures seeing things in context of the common tones of the scale. I'd be thinking in chord tones as my primary targets (NOT the only choices), choosing passing tones based on what sounds right with the melody.

John

[mambo4]

+1 to JTE's point. Just go by chord tones and your ear.

I usually assume a bVII is a dominant 7th chord.
If you take vii(dim7) and flatten the root, that's what ya get.