I–II–IV–iii in A Major

Pattern: I – II – IV – iii Chords: A – B – D – C♯m

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
II	B (details)	major	Supertonic
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
iii	C♯m (details)	minor	Mediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → B (Supertonic) → D (Subdominant) → C♯m (Mediant).

A progression that introduces a major II chord borrowed from the Lydian mode, giving the harmony a bright, lifted quality. The resolution to IV and then iii provides an unexpected but satisfying melodic path.

Song Examples

Inner Urge — Joe Henderson
Maiden Voyage — Herbie Hancock

Chord Details

A B D C♯m

More Progressions in A Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I